Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is common medical disorder and represent a group of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract that is characterized by chronic abdominal pain , bloating , passage of mucus or straining with bowel movements, sense of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements or sense of urgency to move the bowels.Several parasites including Entamoeba. histolytica, Giardia spp., Blastocystis. hominis, and Trichinella spp. have been discussed as contributing factors to the development of IBS.

B. hominis is one of the most common human intestinal protozoa in both developing and developed countries. some studies have reported a significant association between the parasitic infections, especially Blastocystis, and IBS.Cryptosporidium has been reported in IBS patients, with the onset of gastrointestinal symptoms after an acute episode of cryptosporidiosis despite recovery and parasite clearance.Numerous studies have been conducted to evaluate the association between the parasitic infections and IBS.

Aim of the work:

To detect prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in irritable bowel syndrome patients in sohag.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients complaining of symptoms of IBS, such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation, bloating with any age & sex groups

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients have celiac disease, gastrointestinal malignancies , inflammatory bowel disease , HIV , and those on immunosuppression and those who had been recently taking antibiotics within the previous four weeks and anti-parasitic drugs within the previous two weeks.

samples will be collected from outpatients complaining of symptoms of IBS fulfilling the Rome criteria , such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and constipation, bloating with any age & sex groups from different locations (cities and village).

undecided