Detection of Parasitic Infections in Patients With Haematological Disorders in Assiut University Hospitals

Haematological disorders represent a major global health concern due to their diverse causes, high morbidity, and significant mortality, and they include conditions such as anaemia, leukemia, lymphoma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloma that disrupt vital functions like oxygen transport, immune defence, coagulation, and nutrient delivery (1).

Anaemia is the most common haematological disorder worldwide, affecting about 1.8 billion people, with the greatest burden occurring in low- and middle-income countries (2). In the Mediterranean region, childhood anaemia prevalence is estimated at approximately 34.25%, although considerable regional variation exists (3). In Egypt, anaemia affects about 38.7% of adults, with significantly higher rates among females (53.8%) compared with males (23.3%) (4). Additionally, paediatric studies indicate that nearly two out of five young Egyptian children suffer from some degree of anaemia (5). Anaemia also contributes substantially to disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) through its negative effects on childhood development, maternal health, and economic productivity (6).

Haematological malignancies represent another important global oncological challenge, with non-Hodgkin lymphoma ranking among the most common cancers in Egypt and leukemias affecting both adults and children (7). Treatment for these malignancies commonly involves intensive immunosuppressive therapies such as chemotherapy and stem cell transplantation, which increase susceptibility to opportunistic infections (8).

Parasitic infections contribute to haematological disorders through several mechanisms, including chronic inflammation, disruption of haematopoiesis, and increased hepcidin expression that can lead to anemia of chronic disease (9). Intestinal helminths such as hookworms may also cause anaemia through chronic blood loss and impaired absorption of nutrients such as iron and vitamin B12 (10).

Patients with haematological malignancies are particularly vulnerable to parasitic infections, including intestinal protozoa such as Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, Cystoisospora belli, and Blastocystis spp., which can act as opportunistic pathogens (11,12). In addition, Toxoplasma gondii infection is widespread globally and may contribute to anaemia and pose a higher risk for reactivation or severe infection in immunocompromised patients with haematological malignancies (13,14) The connection of high parasitic prevalence and direct haematopathological conditions highlights the necessity of integrative parasitic screening and targeted interventions in at-risk clinical populations.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Haematological Disorders

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 285

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child; Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

Group A: Meets WHO criteria for anaemia (15). d) Group B: Histologically/cytologically confirmed haematological malignancy. e) Group C: No clinical evidence of anaemia, haematological malignancy, or active systemic infection.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• a) Aged ≥2 years. b) Provision of written informed consent (assent for minors). c) Group A: Meets WHO criteria for anaemia (15). d) Group B: Histologically/cytologically confirmed haematological malignancy. e) Group C: No clinical evidence of anaemia, haematological malignancy, or active systemic infection.

Exclusion Criteria:

• a) Received antiparasitic medication within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. b) Received blood transfusion within 4 weeks prior to enrollment. c) Unable or unwilling to provide stool sample or blood specimen. d) Known HIV infection (due to fundamentally different immune pathophysiology).

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

3

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Group A (Anaemia): Patients with confirmed anaemia (Hb <11 g/dL in children ≤12 yrs; <13 g/dL in men >12 yrs; <12 g/dL in nonpregnant women >12 yrs) (15), without active malignancy.
Group B (Haematological Malignancy); Patients with a confirmed diagnosis of leukemia, lymphoma, or multiple myeloma, irrespective of Hb level.
Group C (Control); Apparently healthy individuals from the local community, without anemia or known immunosuppression.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence	Detection of Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in patients suffering from haematological disorders at Assiut University hospitals.	baselines

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Assiut University

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): April 1, 2026
• Study Completion (Estimated): December 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: March 23, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 23, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): March 27, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): March 27, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 23, 2026
• Last Verified: March 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Hemic and Lymphatic Diseases; Hematologic Diseases
• Other Study ID Numbers: Parasitic Infecti Haematology

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No