Role of Dientamoeba fragilis in human bowel infections

• Published in: Le infezioni in medicina Vol. 15; no. 1; p. 30
• Main Authors: Crotti, Daniele, D'Annibale, Maria Letizia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Italian
• Published: Italy 01.03.2007
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Azure Stains; Child; Child, Preschool; Comorbidity; Diagnosis, Differential; Diarrhea - parasitology; Diarrhea, Infantile - parasitology; Dientamoeba - isolation & purification; Dientamoeba - pathogenicity; Dientamoebiasis - diagnosis; Dientamoebiasis - epidemiology; Dientamoebiasis - parasitology; Feces - parasitology; Female; Giardiasis - diagnosis; Giardiasis - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - epidemiology; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic - parasitology; Intestines - parasitology; Italy - epidemiology; Male; Prevalence; Seasons; Species Specificity; Staining and Labeling; Italy
• ISSN: 1124-9390

During 2004, we identified 39 intestinal infections caused by Dientamoeba fragilis and 23 caused by Giardia duodenalis, on 1141 home subjects (3.4% and 2.0% respectively): D. fragilis was observed in 4.5% of O and P (29/644 subjects suffering from aspecific bowel disorders) and in 2.0% of diarrhoeas (10/497); G. duodenalis was observed in 3.1% (20/644) and in 0.6% (3/497) of cases respectively. No other pathogenic parasites were identified (only 1 case of enterobiasis in an asymptomatic child). Commensal protozoa were observed, among O and P, in 4.3% of cases (28/644). The non-pathogenic B. hominis, often associated with other protozoa, was observed in 4.1% of all 1141 cases. D. fragilis is undoubtedly more frequent in adults (36/39 cases, 92.3%) than in children (3/39, 7.7%), and is prevalent among females (24/39, 61.5%) in respect of males (15/39, 38.5%). G. duodenalis is more prevalent among adults (16/23, 69.5%) than children (7/23, 30.5%), but is more frequent among males (13/23, 56.5%) than females (10/23, 43.5%). Clinical correlations of dientamoebiasis and giardiasis are reported, seasonal and epidemiological features of these protozooses are outlined, and the authors emphasize the importance and need of Giemsa stain, among O and P and acute or prolonged diarrhoeas, on the basis of previous good direct microscopic observations of faecal specimens, for correct and complete diagnosis of intestinal infections.