Prevalence of Entamoeba histolytica Infection and Its Association with Gender and Occult Blood in Stool among Patients in Al-Bayda City, Libya.

Abstract

Amoebiasis, caused by Entamoeba histolytica, remains a major parasitic disease in developing countries, with significant health impacts across Africa and the Middle East. Despite improvements in sanitation, intestinal protozoal infections continue to be widespread in Libya. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of E. histolytica infection among patients in Al-Bayda City, Libya, and to evaluate its association with gender, age, and the presence of fecal occult blood (FOB) in stool samples. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 238 stool samples collected during 2024. Samples were examined for E. histolytica cysts and trophozoites and tested for occult blood using a rapid immunochromatographic method. Statistical analyses (chi-square and t-tests) were performed using R software, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The prevalence of E. histolytica was 23.1% (55/238). There was no significant association between infection and gender (χ²=0.00, p=0.983) or age (t=1.05, p=0.296). However, a strong association was found between E. histolytica infection and FOB positivity (χ²=21.9, p=0.0000193). The relationships between gender and FOB (χ²=0.00, p=0.99) and between age and FOB =0.42, p=0.673) were not significant. The high prevalence of E. histolytica and its strong association with occult blood indicate ongoing transmission and mucosal invasion among infected individuals in Al-Bayda City. Improved sanitation, public health education, and molecular confirmation of E. histolytica are essential to reduce infection rates and prevent severe outcomes.