{
  "abstract": "Background\n\nHelminths modulate host immune responses through immunoregulatory mechanisms that may influence carcinogenesis. We investigated the prevalence and risk factors of helminthic infections among colorectal cancer (CRC) patients in Lorestan Province, western Iran.Methods\n\nThis case-control study enrolled 87 CRC patients and 87 healthy controls from general hospitals between October 2022 and August 2024. Stool samples were examined via direct wet mount and formol-ether concentration, with agar plate culture used to detect Strongyloides stercoralis.Results\n\nHelminthic infections were found in 15 of 87 CRC patients (17.2%) versus 6 of 87 controls (6.9%). Trichostrongylus spp. was most common (52.4%), followed by Enterobius vermicularis (19%) and S. stercoralis (14.3%). Among CRC patients, age under 40 years was associated with higher infection odds versus those ≥60 years (OR=12.33, 95% CI: 1.38-110.2, P=0.025), while animal contact was protective (OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.01-0.30, P=0.008). Among controls, rural residence (OR=15.25, 95% CI: 1.70-136.5, P=0.015) and animal husbandry (OR=12.61, 95% CI: 1.32-120.5, P=0.024) increased odds, while frequent fast-food consumption was protective (OR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.03-0.94, P=0.045).Conclusion\n\nIntestinal helminthic infections were significantly more prevalent among CRC patients than healthy controls, indicating potential clinical relevance in this population. Detection of S. stercoralis in CRC patients, along with links to environmental exposure factors, supports systematic parasitological screening in endemic regions, particularly before immunosuppressive treatment. Larger multicenter studies with molecular diagnostics are needed to clarify the association between helminthic infection and CRC.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Internal Medicine, Shahid Rahimi Hospital, School of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.",
    "Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of Thi-Qar, Thi-Qar, Iraq.",
    "Universal Scientific Education and Research Network Office, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.",
    "Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran."
  ],
  "article_type": "research article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Alireza Moayyedkazemi"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Amal Khudair Khalaf"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Abdolreza Mirjani"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Akram Sepahvand"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Parastoo Baharvand"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        3
      ],
      "name": "Hossein Mahmoudvand"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0cxfjncnvdmrx.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.18502/ijpa.v21i3.22597",
  "fulltext_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13726766",
  "id": "0cxfjncnvdmrx",
  "issns": [
    "1735-7020",
    "2008-238X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974516",
  "language": "eng",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Original Article"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2405|Parasites and Host Interactions"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7212403461",
  "pdf_url": "https://europepmc.org/articles/PMC13726766?pdf=render",
  "pmcid": "PMC13726766",
  "pmid": "42974516",
  "published": "2026-07-01",
  "publisher": "Tehran University of Medical Sciences",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0cxfjncnvdmrx.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T15:20:49Z",
      "native_id": "MED:42974516",
      "source": "europepmc",
      "url": "https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42974516"
    },
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-05T12:23:02Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13726766",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v21i3.22597"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "openalex:2405|Parasites and Host Interactions",
      "subfield": "microbiology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Helminthic Parasites among the Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Western Iran; A Case-Control Study.",
  "title_text": "Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Helminthic Parasites among the Patients with Colorectal Cancer in Western Iran; A Case-Control Study.",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-06T12:22:38Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/0cxfjncnvdmrx",
  "venue": "Iranian journal of parasitology",
  "versions": []
}