الفهرس 
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Abstract
Parasitic infections are one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in developing countries. The outcome of parasitic infection depends on patient immunity. Immunocompromised patient especially chronic renal failure patient on haemodialysis shows sever fatal manifestations when infected with opportunistic parasites e.g (Cryptosporidium species, Cystoisospora belli, Cyclospora cayetanensis, Blastocystis hominis, Toxoplasma gondii and Microsporidia).
Our study aims to detect the prevalence of parasitic infections among haemodialysis patients attending the dialysis unit of Minia University hospital, Minia city, Egypt.
A case- control study was conducted on 100 haemodialysis patients and 50 apparently healthy individuals between April 2020 to December 2020. Stool and blood samples were collected from all participants after obtaining their informed consent.
All stool samples were examined by light microscopy using direct wet mount (saline & Iodine preparations), Formal-Ether concentration technique, Giemsa stain and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain.
Serum samples were tested for detection of anti-Toxoplasma gondii (IgM & IgG) antibodies using ELISA technique
Our study revealed the following:
•The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was significantly higher (p <0.001) among haemodialysis patients compared to their apparently healthy counterparts (47% vs 12% respectively).
•The infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis spp., Cyclospora cyatenensis and Isospora belli were highly significant in haemodialyis patients compared to healthy controls.
•Helminthic infection was not detected in haemodialysis patients while in the healthy control there was only one case with E. vermicularis (p= 0.333).
•There were no significant differences in the age, sex, and residence between haemodialysis patients and healthy controls. However, comparing between parasitized and non-parasitized patients in the haemodialysis group, we found significant association of intestinal parasitic infection in female patients (P=0.003), with age group 36-58 (P=0.033) and > 58 years (P=0.034), and living in rural areas (P <0.001).
•Among haemodialysis patients, there was statistically significant association between intestinal parasitic infection and diarrhea (p <0.001). Additionally, infection with Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis hominis, Cyclospora cyatenensis, Isospora belli, E. coli and Storage mite were significantly associated with diarrhea, whereas no statistical association was observed with other parasites.
•The overall T. gondii seroprevalence rate among haemodialysis patients was significantly higher than that among their counterparts (75% vs. 22% respectively, P <0.001).
from the previous results, we recommend routine stool examination for haemodialysis patients for early detection of intestinal opportunistic parasites. Also, those patients should routinely be examined for detection of T.gondii antibodies to avoid serious fatal complications.