<![CDATA[Background: Colorectal diseases are conditions that affect the colon and rectum, impacting both their functional and structural integrity. Colorectal diseases include inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), colorectal polyps, and colorectal cancer, as they have the potential to cause chronic inflammation in the colon and rectum. Chronic inflammation and mucosal disruption may facilitate protozoan colonization and infection, potentially increasing susceptibility to intestinal protozoa. Conversely, intestinal protozoan infections may promote intestinal inflammation and epithelial damage, potentially contributing to the pathogenesis of colorectal disease. This study explores multiple colorectal diseases such as IBD, polyps, and cancer to provide a broader understanding of intestinal protozoan infections within the colorectal spectrum in West Sumatera, where such data have not been previously reported. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa detected by direct stool examination among patients with colorectal diseases at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital Padang. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study using primary data from a total of 73 colorectal disease patients, selected through consecutive sampling. Patient diagnoses were obtained from medical records, while intestinal protozoan infections were identified through stool samples via direct stool examination. Fresh stool samples were examined microscopically and then stained with Lugol’s iodine and eosin. Microscopic observations were performed using a binocular light microscope under 100x, 400x, and 1,000x magnifications. The study employed univariate analysis and presented the results in frequency distribution tables. This study was conducted at Dr. M. Djamil General Hospital Padang and the Parasitology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Andalas University, between December 2023 and February 2024. Results: Among the 73 patients, 79,5% had colorectal cancer, 19.2% had IBD, and 1.4% had colorectal polyps. Intestinal protozoan infections were most frequently observed in patients with colorectal cancer. Most patients were male (60.3%), with the highest prevalence in the 51-60 and > 60 age groups (31.5%). Intestinal protozoan infections were detected in 52.1% (38/73) of colorectal disease patients, with Cryptosporidium sp. found in 52.6% and Blastocystis sp. in 47.4% of cases. The infection rate was higher in the 51-60 age group (36.8%) and predominantly found in males (65.8%). The dominant type of infection was single infection (89.5%). Conclusions: The prevalence of intestinal protozoan infections was found to be relatively high, particularly in colorectal cancer patients. The most frequently detected species were Blastocystis sp. and Cryptosporidium sp. Patients should undergo screening and receive antiparasitic treatment if necessary, along with education on disease prevention related to intestinal protozoan infections. ]]>
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