The Role of Fingernails in Trasmitting The Infection With Intestinal Parasites Among Pupils of Primary Schools in Al-Taamem Province-Iraq

Results of examining 235 fingernails from pupils of a number of primary schools in urban and rural regions of Al-Taamem province, by floatation in zinc sulphate solution, revealed the presence of infective stages of the following intestinal parasites:
cysts of Giardia lamblia 3.83% , Entamoeba coli 2.98% , E. histolytica 2.13% , eggs of Enterobius vermicularis 4.68% and Hymenolepis nana 2.13% . The total percentage of infection was 15.74%, emphasing the role of fingernail in trasmission of parasitic infection , which requires its continous cleaning and cutting.