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Journal of Clinical Microbiology Mar 2014Despite recent advances in diagnostic technology, microscopic examination of stool specimens remains central to the diagnosis of most pathogenic intestinal protozoa.... (Review)
Review
Despite recent advances in diagnostic technology, microscopic examination of stool specimens remains central to the diagnosis of most pathogenic intestinal protozoa. Microscopy is, however, labor-intensive and requires a skilled technologist. New, highly sensitive diagnostic methods have been developed for protozoa endemic to developed countries, including Giardia lamblia (syn. G. intestinalis/G. duodenalis) and Cryptosporidium spp., using technologies that, if expanded, could effectively complement or even replace microscopic approaches. To date, the scope of such novel technologies is limited and may not include common protozoa such as Dientamoeba fragilis, Entamoeba histolytica, or Cyclospora cayetanensis. This minireview describes canonical approaches for the detection of pathogenic intestinal protozoa, while highlighting recent developments and FDA-approved tools for clinical diagnosis of common intestinal protozoa.
Topics: Clinical Laboratory Techniques; Cryptosporidium; Cyclospora; Diagnostic Tests, Routine; Dientamoeba; Entamoeba histolytica; Giardia lamblia; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Parasitology; Protozoan Infections
PubMed: 24197877
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.02877-13 -
Le Infezioni in Medicina Mar 2013In recent years, interest in Dientamoeba fragilis on the part of biologists, clinicians and parasitologists has increased considerably due to the need to clarify the... (Review)
Review
In recent years, interest in Dientamoeba fragilis on the part of biologists, clinicians and parasitologists has increased considerably due to the need to clarify the many unresolved issues related to the parasite and the associated infection. This paper aims to provide a summary of the state of knowledge of D. fragilis in its different aspects, and, through the analysis of the literature and the most recent data, the present review aims to record the reasons why this protozoan, although little known, should not be underestimated in the diagnosis of human parasitic infections also in Italy.
Topics: DNA, Protozoan; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Evidence-Based Medicine; Feces; Humans; Italy; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Risk Factors
PubMed: 23524895
DOI: No ID Found -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi 2013We investigated the prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients and evaluated whether there was a possible link between IBS and these...
OBJECTIVE
We investigated the prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients and evaluated whether there was a possible link between IBS and these parasitic infections.
METHODS
Stool specimens collected from 55 IBS patients, 80 patients with gastroenteritis as control group 1 (CG-1) and 50 healthy volunteers as control group 2 (CG-2) were included the study. Samples were examined by direct microscopy, trichrome staining and culture methods.
RESULTS
While there was no significant difference in the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. between IBS patients and CG-1 (p > 0.05), a significant difference was found between IBS and CG-2 (p < 0.05). Patients with IBS were found to have five or more Blastocystis spp. per field than control groups. After eradication, all symptoms were cured in four patients, there were only constipation problems left in eleven patients and there were no changes in clinical findings in three patients. D. fragilis was not found in any of the samples.
CONCLUSION
The reason we did not find any D. fragilis may be due to the low infection rate in the region. However, significantly having five or more Blastocystis spp. per field (X40) in IBS patients and regression of IBS symptoms after treatment in most of the patients suggested a possible link between IBS and Blastocystis spp.
Topics: Adult; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Feces; Female; Gastroenteritis; Humans; Irritable Bowel Syndrome; Male; Microscopy; Staining and Labeling
PubMed: 23955902
DOI: 10.5152/tpd.2013.19 -
Microorganisms Feb 2022is a cosmopolitan and neglected protozoan. Although little is known concerning its pathogenicity and its true prevalence worldwide, its role as enteric pathogen is...
is a cosmopolitan and neglected protozoan. Although little is known concerning its pathogenicity and its true prevalence worldwide, its role as enteric pathogen is emerging, as the occurrence of dientamoebiasis has increased also in industrialised countries. This study investigated the occurrence and prevalence of intestinal parasites, focusing on in a 10-year period (2011-2020) in a single tertiary-care hospital located in Northern Italy. A statistical evaluation of the correlation between dientamoebiasis and specific signs other than gastrointestinal-related ones was performed. The laboratory diagnosis was performed on 16,275 cases of suspected intestinal parasitoses. Intestinal parasites were detected in 3254 cases, 606 of which were associated to , which represented 18.6% (606/3254) of all the intestinal parasitoses with a 3.7% (606/16,275) prevalence and an increasing trend during the last five years (2011-2015: 2.8% vs. 2016-2020: 4.8%). was commonly detected in foreigners, especially those from developing countries, as well as in children; prevalence was equal in males and females. With regard to the clinical aspect, the only putative sign statistically related to dientamoebiasis was anal pruritus. Despite the controversial epidemiological knowledges on dientamoebiasis, the prevalence of found in this study highlights the need to consider this parasite in any differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.
PubMed: 35208880
DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10020426 -
Mikrobiyoloji Bulteni Apr 2018In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of Dientamoeba fragilis with different diagnostic methods in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and determine...
In this study, we aimed to investigate the incidence of Dientamoeba fragilis with different diagnostic methods in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and determine the sensitivity and specificity of existing diagnostic methods. Fecal samples collected from 101 patients with gastrointestinal complaints (especially upper abdominal pain, abdominal and pelvic pain, nausea and vomiting, gastroenteritis and colitis, unexplained fever and diarrhea) and 20 control cases from various clinics were included in the study. Samples were first examined with native-Lugol (N-L) method and cultured in Robinson medium. All 121 stool and culture samples were stained with iron hematoxylin stain (IHS) and trichrome stain (TS) methods and examined by PCR and QPCR for D.fragilis. Among 121 stool samples 13 (10.7%), 2 (1.7%), 7 (5.7%) 13 (10.7%), and 7 (5.8%), 4 (3.3%), 2 (1.7%), 3 (2.5%) of cultured samples were determined positive with IHS, TS, PCR, QPCR respectively. Fifteen of the 121 stool samples were determined as diarrheal. All diarrheal stool samples were negative with IHS and TS. One of the diarrheal stools and 6 (4.9%) of the non-diarrheal stools were positive by PCR. All of the diarrheal stools were negative. Thirteen of the non-diarrheal stool samples (10.7%) were positive by QPCR. When the QPCR method was considered as gold standard, sensitivity and specificity values were determined as 46% and 93% in IHS, 0% and 99% in TS, 54% and 100% by PCR and sensitivity and specificity values were 67% and 96% in IHS, 33% and 98% in TS, 67% and 100% by PCR among cultured stool samples. As a result, it was determined that there was a statistically significant difference between the samples of the patients and the control groups and the sensitivity and specificity of the conventional and molecular methods (IHS, TS, PCR and QPCR) determined in this study supported the results of other compared studies. It has been determined that staining methods used for the diagnosis of D.fragilis gave false positivite or negativite results. In addition, the QPCR method is more advantageous in terms of time saving for the diagnosis and initiation of the treatment and in cases where QPCR is not available, IHS and conventional PCR methods should be used together. In our opinion, this study will contribute to the results of epidemiological and scientific studies on D.fragilis in Turkey.
Topics: Diarrhea; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Feces; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Humans; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Sensitivity and Specificity; Turkey
PubMed: 29933734
DOI: 10.5578/mb.66468 -
Iranian Journal of Parasitology 2018Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease with high population prevalence. and are reported worldwide as a cause of human...
BACKGROUND
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disease with high population prevalence. and are reported worldwide as a cause of human gastrointestinal symptoms. This study evaluated the possible link between this syndrome and the infection with and in Egypt.
METHODS
Overall, 310 stool samples (160 from IBS patients and 150 from controls) were obtained from Tropical Medicine Outpatient Clinic, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt between Mar 2015 and Feb 2016. All the stool specimens underwent direct examination and Trichrome staining. Each sample was cultivated on Jones and Robinson's media.
RESULTS
Overall, 42 cases (28%) showed and 2 cases (1.3%) for infections. After performing the culture methods for and detections increased to 50 cases (33.3%) and 3 cases (2%), respectively. While among 150 controls 18 (12%) positive samples were detected as
CONCLUSION
There may be a possible relationship between the presentation of irritable bowel syndrome and and infections, which have to be excluded first.
PubMed: 29963091
DOI: No ID Found -
World Journal of Gastroenterology Jul 2020() and () are two protozoan parasites of human bowel that are found throughout the world. There is still debate about the pathogenicity of these protozoans, despite...
BACKGROUND
() and () are two protozoan parasites of human bowel that are found throughout the world. There is still debate about the pathogenicity of these protozoans, despite them being commonly associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and can cause health issue in both children and adults. These parasites are usually transmitted through faecal-oral contact particularly under poor hygiene conditions or food/water contamination. Once a person is infected, the parasites live in the large intestine and are passed in the faeces.
AIM
To investigate the effect of triple antibiotic therapy using enema infusion in the treatment of and infections.
METHODS
This retrospective longitudinal study was conducted in a single medical centre, which included fifty-four patients (≥ 18 years) who were positive for , or both between 2017 and 2018. The treatment consisted of triple antibiotics that were infused over two consecutive days through rectal enema. Faecal samples were collected from participants pre- and post-treatment and were tested for parasites using microscopy and polymerase chain reaction. Patients' symptoms were recorded prior and after the treatment as well as patient demographic data.
RESULTS
Patients ( = 54), were either positive for (37%), (35%) or both (28%). All patients completed the two-day treatment and no serious adverse effect was reported. The most common side effect experienced by the patients during the treatment was urine discolouration which was cleared by six weeks of follow-up. Common symptoms reported prior to treatment were diarrhoea, abdominal pain, constipation and fatigue. Other symptoms included abdominal discomfort, dizziness and blood in the stool. Eighty-nine percent of patients completed a final stool test post-treatment. At six weeks post-treatment, 79% of patients cleared the parasites from their faeces. Symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, dizziness and blood in the stool decreased significantly at both seven days and six weeks post-treatment ( < 0.040). The enema retention time, bowel preparation, previous antibiotic treatment or previous gastrointestinal problems had no significant effect on parasite eradication.
CONCLUSION
Overall, eradication of parasites and improvement of clinical outcomes were observed in treated patients, showing the efficacy of this combination to eradicate the parasites and provide positive clinical outcome.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Child; Enema; Feces; Female; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Parasites; Parasitic Diseases; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 32774058
DOI: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i26.3792 -
PloS One 2018Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health problem in inter-tropical areas. The aim of our study was to describe the situation in Mahajanga, Madagascar...
INTRODUCTION
Intestinal parasitic infections are a major public health problem in inter-tropical areas. The aim of our study was to describe the situation in Mahajanga, Madagascar with a particular focus on two protozoa, Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis sp.
METHODS
This was a prospective study from February to June 2015. Stool samples from symptomatic hospitalized patients and asymptomatic volunteers were submitted to microscopy and molecular assays in order to detect parasites.
RESULTS
A wide panel of intestinal parasites were identified among the 265 included subjects, protozoa being the most prevalent with 72.8% whereas the prevalence of helminths and microsporidia was of 7.9% and 4.5%, respectively. Blastocystis sp. was the most prevalent protozoa (64.5% of the entire cohort) followed by various amoebas (35.5%) and flagellates (27,5%). We only detected subtypes 1, 2 and 3 of Blastocystis sp. Among the patients positive for D. fragilis (9.4%), 23 carried genotype 1 and 1 genotype 2. For the first time, we detected in 4 human stools the DNA of a recently described protozoon, Simplicimonas similis. Interestingly, subjects living in urban areas harbored significantly more different parasitic species than subjects living in rural areas with a correlation between sanitary level of neighborhood and protozoan infection. However, there was no difference in prevalence of digestive symptoms between parasite-free and parasite-infected subjects, except for Giardia intestinalis which had more symptomatic carriers.
DISCUSSION
Our study reveals a high overall parasite prevalence, similar to what had been found in 2003 in the same city and to other prevalence studies conducted in Africa. The poor access of the population to sanitary infrastructures may explain this result. Data from our study provide valuable key for sanitation programs and prevention of fecal-related infectious diseases.
Topics: Adult; Blastocystis; Cities; Dientamoeba; Female; Geography, Medical; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Madagascar; Male; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Protozoan Infections; Rural Population; Sanitation; Urban Population
PubMed: 30304028
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204576 -
Parasites & Vectors Jan 2018In this study for the first time, a Dientamoeba fragilis protein profile by MALDI-TOF MS was created in order to identify specific markers for the application of this...
BACKGROUND
In this study for the first time, a Dientamoeba fragilis protein profile by MALDI-TOF MS was created in order to identify specific markers for the application of this technology in the laboratory diagnosis of dientamoebiasis. In particular, one D. fragilis reference strain was used to create a reference spectrum and 14 clinical isolates to verify the reliability of the obtained results.
RESULTS
While 15 peaks were found to be discriminating between the reference strain and the culture medium used, six peaks, observed in all the 14 strains tested, were considered as markers able to identify D. fragilis.
CONCLUSIONS
In our hands, MALDI-TOF MS technology was demonstrated as a useful tool to be used in association with or in replacement of the real-time PCR assay for the identification of D. fragilis used in our laboratory on xenic cultures, due to its accuracy, rapidity and low cost.
Topics: Costs and Cost Analysis; Dientamoeba; Parasitology; Proteome; Protozoan Proteins; Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization; Time Factors
PubMed: 29301570
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2597-3