Assessment of Blastocystis hominis as a Risk Factor for Iron  Deficiency Anemia in Pregnant Women

Fariba  Berenji; Seyed Aliakbar  Shamsian; Zeinab  Teimourisani; Mohammad Reza  Bagherpoor; Mehdi  Zarean; Jamshid  Jamali; Nayereh  Ghomian; Mahnaz Broumand  Rezazadeh; Bibi Razieh  Hosseini Farash

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18107

Fariba Berenji Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Seyed Aliakbar Shamsian Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Zeinab Teimourisani Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mohammad Reza Bagherpoor Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mehdi Zarean Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Jamshid Jamali Department of Biostatistics, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Nayereh Ghomian Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Mahnaz Broumand Rezazadeh Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women's Health Research Center, School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Bibi Razieh Hosseini Farash Department of Parasitology and Mycology School of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v20i1.18107

Keywords: Blastocystis hominis; Iron deficiency anemia; Pregnancy; Parasitic infections

Abstract

Background: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is a common health issue during pregnancy and may be influenced by parasitic infections such as Blastocystis hominis. This study aims to assess the role of Blastocystis hominis infection as a potential risk factor for IDA in pregnant women.

Methods: A total of 208 pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study, including 98 women with IDA (case group) and 110 women without IDA (control group), conducted at Imam Reza and Ghaem Hospitals in Mashhad, Iran during 2022–2023. Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were measured in all participants, with anemia defined as hemoglobin <11 g/dL and ferritin <15 μg/L. Stool samples were collected from all participants to detect B. hominis and other parasitic infections using direct smear, formalin-ether concentration, and modified acid-fast staining methods. Statistical analyses were performed using independent samples t-test and chi-square test, with a significance level of P<0.05.

Results: The prevalence of B. hominis infection was significantly higher in the case group (38.8%) compared to the control group (10.9%) (P<0.001). Hemoglobin and ferritin levels were significantly lower in the case group (P<0.001). However, no significant difference was observed between the groups in terms of socioeconomic status, education, or occupation.

Conclusion: B. hominis infection may contribute to iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women. Screening for parasitic infections in anemic pregnant women, particularly B. hominis, could improve anemia management during pregnancy.