Incidence of Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica and Schistosoma mansoni Infections Among Hepatitis C Virus Patients in Egypt

Abstract Background and Objective: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection badly affects the liver and represents a critical health problem in Egypt. The parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis, toxoplasmosis, or amebiasis were highly distributed among Egyptian citizens and affect the liver status in various ways. Co-infections of these parasites with HCV are pos­sible and accompanied by negative clinical consequences. The current study shed the light on the incidence of Toxoplasma gondii, Entamoeba histolytica, and Schistosoma infections among the HCV patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt. Materials and Methods: One hundred and eighty HCV infected patients were examined for T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma using ELISA or indirect haemagglutination test, and fecal examination was done to detect the E. histolytica cyst stage or Schistosoma mansoni ova. Results: Overall incidence of T. gondii IgG and IgM was 65% and 3.89%, respectively. Moreover, the incidence of E. histolytica, and Schistosoma mansoni was (50% and 21.67) and (42.22% and 1.67%), using serological means and stool examination, respectively. Multiple parasitic infections (T. gondii and E. histolytica), (T. gondii and Schistosoma), (E. histolytica, and Schistosoma), and (T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma) were 22.78%, 16.67%, 10.56%, and 10.56%, using serological means, respectively, among HCV-infected patients. Significant differences were demonstrated in the incidence of T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma among HCV patients based on age, gender, and residence. Conclusion: T. gondii, E. histolytica, and Schistosoma mono- or multiple infections highly exist among HCV patients from Menoufia Province, Egypt. Keywords: Toxoplasma, Entamoeba, Schistosoma, HCV, Co-infection, Egyp