Investigating intestinal parasitic infections with emphasis on molecular identification of and in north of Iran.

Currently, parasitic infections are one of the important health problems in the world, especially in developing countries. This study aims to investigate intestinal parasites with an emphasis on molecular identification through the analysis of mitochondrial and gene sequences of () and spp. in north of Iran. Five hundred forty stool samples were collected from medical diagnostic laboratories affiliated with Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences in Sari city, north of Iran. First, all the samples were examined using direct smear, formalin-ether sedimentation, and trichrome staining technique. Suspected samples of larvae were cultured in agar plate. Then, DNA was extracted from samples containing spp. eggs and larvae. To amplify DNA, PCR was performed and the samples with a sharp band in electrophoresis were sequenced by Sanger method. Overall, the prevalence of parasitic infections in the study population was 5.4%. The highest and the lowest level of infection was observed with spp. and at 3% and 0.2%, respectively. No traces of live larvae were seen in the culture medium of the agar plate. The six isolates obtained from the amplification of the gene of spp. were sequenced, all of which were . The sequencing results of gene indicated . In the present study, the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in north of Iran has relatively decreased that its main reason can be due to the coronavirus epidemic and compliance with health principles. However, the prevalence of parasite was relatively high that it requires special attention to apply appropriate control and treatment strategies in this field.