Purpose: Parasitic infections are a primary cause of illness worldwide and a public health problem. This study highlighted the prevalence of intestinal parasitic (IP) infections and their updated epidemiologic status from 2019 to 2023 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Patients and Methods: A retrospective study was conducted from 2019 to 2023 at King Abdulaziz University Hospital. The laboratory results, socio-demographic information, and the year of data collection were collected from the hospital’s parasitology laboratory. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 26. Ethical approval was obtained from the National Committee of Bioethics (NCBE) - King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology, with an approval number of 258-22. Results: During the study period, 7673 stool samples were requested for intestinal parasite examination. The prevalence of IP infection from 2019 to 2023 was 212/7673, with a percentage of 2.8%. Infected patients had a mean (SD) age of 37.68 (17.27) years. Most infected patients were females (61%) and from Saudi Arabia (37.1%). Most stool samples were brown (79.1%), and about half were soft (51.7%). 2019 had the highest number of infected cases (28.3%), while the number of cases decreased in 2023 (8.8%), the lowest during five years. The most predominant parasite among study subjects was Blastocystis hominis (48.11%). Conclusion: The prevalence of IP infection is lower than in previous comparable surveys. Maintaining personal hygiene, conducting epidemiological surveillance, and enhancing environmental sanitation can prevent and control infections.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii and rubella virus are significant health concerns among women. Therefore, it is crucial to determine the prevalence of their antibodies. Objective: This study aimed to explore the prevalence of rubella and toxoplasmosis immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies among females who attended different clinics in King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Method: A retrospective observational study was conducted among nonpregnant women who attended various clinics at King Abdulaziz University Hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The study included 540 female participants who visited various clinics, with a mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of 31.92 (6.175) years and a median (interquartile range [IQR]) of 32 (8). These women were tested for rubella and toxoplasmosis IgG and immunoglobulin M (IgM) from January 2021 to June 2022. ELISA test for detecting antitoxoplasmosis and antirubella IgG and IgM antibodies was conducted using kits manufactured by Abbott, located at Max‐Planck‐Ring 2, 65,205 Wiesbaden, Germany. Results: The majority of the participants were from Saudi Arabia (78.1%). Most females (73.3%) had positive results for rubella IgG, while only 5.6% tested positive for toxoplasmosis IgG. A significantly higher percentage of positive rubella‐G antibodies was seen between those with positive toxoplasmosis IgG and those with negative toxoplasmosis IgG (93.3% vs. 76.4%, p = 0.032). Non‐Saudi females had a significantly higher rate of positive toxoplasmosis IgG than Saudi women (15.4% vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The study revealed a high prevalence of rubella antibodies and a low prevalence of toxoplasmosis antibodies among females living in Saudi Arabia, with a higher prevalence of toxoplasmosis antibodies seen among non‐Saudi females. A significant association between the prevalence of rubella and toxoplasmosis antibodies was found. Therefore, raising awareness about the risks and prevention measures of toxoplasmosis is crucial, emphasizing hygiene practices.

Giardiasis, caused by Giardia duodenalis, is a common gastrointestinal infection. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Hedera helix leaf extract (HLE) and HLE-loaded chitosan nanoparticles (HLE-CsNPs) against Giardia duodenalis isolates from individuals with gastrointestinal issues, using an experimental rat model. Stool samples from 147 participants were analyzed for Giardia duodenalis, with positive samples further characterized by nested PCR-RFLP, revealing a 4.8% prevalence, all belonging to assemblage B. Ten groups of male albino rats were used to evaluate the antigiardial activity of various treatments. This included five non-infected groups [one untreated and four treated with HLE, HLE-CsNPs, CsNPs, and metronidazole (MTZ)] and five infected groups [one untreated and four similarly treated]. Treatment efficacy was assessed using parasite counts, intestinal histopathology, CD117 immunohistochemistry, and markers of liver and kidney function. HLE-CsNPs markedly reduced Giardia cysts by 88.8%, approaching the 99.2% reduction achieved by MTZ, while also improving intestinal architecture and reducing inflammation. Importantly, HLE and HLE-CsNPs provided superior protection for the liver and kidneys compared to MTZ. In conclusion, HLE-CsNPs exhibited significant antigiardial activity and organ protection in rats, suggesting a potential alternative treatment for Giardia duodenalis isolated from individuals with gastrointestinal issues.