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Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Mar 2021Immunocompromised patients are at a greater risk of developing intestinal parasite infections. In this study, we examined the presence of and other intestinal protozoa...
OBJECTIVE
Immunocompromised patients are at a greater risk of developing intestinal parasite infections. In this study, we examined the presence of and other intestinal protozoa in stool samples of immunosuppressed patients.
METHODS
A total of 100 stool samples were obtained from patients receiving chemotherapy because of solid organ tumour with haematological malignancies and those receiving immunosuppressive treatment because of rheumatic diseases, organ transplant patients and patients receiving treatment for HIV-related infections. Stool samples were examined by using the native-lugol method in which the stool concentration, modified Kinyoun acid-fast and trichrome staining methods and parasite presence were analysed. The stool samples were also examined for the presence of and using an indirect fluorescent antibody method.
RESULTS
Intestinal parasites were detected in 12% of all patients. The distribution of intestinal parasites in patients were 7% spp., 2% spp. + , 1% spp. + , 1% spp. + and 1% spp. were detected in 4% of all patients by the IFAT method and in 8% of all patients by calcoflour staining method.
CONCLUSION
In our study, the most prevalent parasite detected in the immunosuppressed patients was spp. The pathogenesis of spp. remains to be controversial, and their role in immunocompromised patients continues to remain unknown. Although these rates detected in our study are similar to the prevalence in the normal population, it is important to study these microorganisms in immunocompromised patients in terms of the associated decreasing morbidity and mortality rates.
Topics: Blastocystis; Dientamoeba; Entamoeba; Feces; Giardia; Hospitals, University; Humans; Immunocompromised Host; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Microsporidia; Prevalence
PubMed: 33685067
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2020.6819 -
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 -
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 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... Feb 2003To evaluate the pathogenicity of Dientamoeba fragilis by comparing it with Giardia lamblia and to investigate the effect of a single dose of secnidazole in... (Clinical Trial)
Clinical Trial Comparative Study
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the pathogenicity of Dientamoeba fragilis by comparing it with Giardia lamblia and to investigate the effect of a single dose of secnidazole in dientamoebiasis.
METHODS
Stool samples of 400 patients, admitted to the Department of Parasitology, Celal Bayar University, were examined by direct wet mount, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration and trichrome staining methods on three consecutive days. All cases positive for D. fragilis were treated with a single dose of secnidazole, 30 mg/kg for children, and 2 g for adults. On the seventh and fourteenth days, at the end of the treatment, stool samples were examined by the same methods, and clinical symptoms were again evaluated.
RESULTS
D. fragilis and G. lamblia were detected in 35 (8.8%) and 34 (8.5%) cases, respectively. The most frequent symptoms were found to be abdominal pain and diarrhea in both infections. D. fragilis was eradicated in 34 (97.1%) patients with a single dose of secnidazole, but a second dose was necessary in one patient. Clinical symptoms disappeared in 27 (77.1%) and decreased in eight (22.9%) cases, after eradication.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggested that D. fragilis is as prevalent and pathogenic as G. lamblia, and secnidazole seems to be highly effective in achieving parasitologic and clinical cure. To our knowledge, this is the first report of secnidazole being used in the treatment of dientamoebiasis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Antiprotozoal Agents; Child; Child, Preschool; Diarrhea; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Feces; Giardia lamblia; Giardiasis; Humans; Metronidazole; Middle Aged
PubMed: 12588330
DOI: 10.1046/j.1469-0691.2003.00504.x -
Veterinary Medicine and Science Nov 2021Food handlers regardless of whether preparing or serving food, play key roles in the transmission of food-borne infections. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
Food handlers regardless of whether preparing or serving food, play key roles in the transmission of food-borne infections. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections in food handlers in Iran. In the present study, a comprehensive literature search was carried out in electronic databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Science Direct, Magiran, Scientific Information Database (SID), Iran Medex and Iran Doc, to identify all the published studies from 2000 to 31st April 2019. A total of 25 articles from different regions of Iran were identified and fulfilled our eligibility criteria. Totally, 140,447 cases were examined and 1163 cases were infected with intestinal parasites. Of all cases, 19,516 were male and 5901 were female with 1163 and 652 infected cases, respectively. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasitic infections was evaluated 14.0% [95% CI: 11.0-17.0%]. It is revealed that protozoan, such as Giardia lamblia, with prevalence of 41.0% [95% CI: 25.0-59.0%], Blastosystis hominis with 28.0% [95% CI: 15.0-44.0%] and Entamoeba coli with 22.0% [95% CI: 16.0-29.0%] had the highest prevalence while, Dientamoeba fragilis 5.0% [95% CI: 4.0-7.0%], Iodamoeba bütschlii 5.0% [95% CI: 2.0-8.0%], Chilomastix mesnili 5.0% [95% CI: 2.0-9.0%] and Endolimax nana with 3.0% [95% CI: 1.0-7.0%], were less prevalent. Infection with Ascaris lumbricoides7.0% [95% CI: 0.0-29.0%] was more prevalent helminth followed with Enterobius vermicularis 3.0% [95% CI: 1.0-5.0%], Hymenolepis nana 2.0% [95% CI: 1.0-3.0%], Taenia spp. 2.0% [95% CI: 0.0-7.0%] and Trichuris trichiura 1.0% [95% CI: 0.0-1.0%]. The high prevalence of commensal parasites, such as Entamoeba coli, which does not need cure is indicating the importance of personal hygiene in food handlers. Our results revealed the high prevalence of intestinal parasitic infection in food handlers in Iran. Monitoring programs to prevent and controlling of transmission to individuals are needed.
Topics: Animals; Feces; Female; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Iran; Male; Prevalence
PubMed: 34358411
DOI: 10.1002/vms3.590 -
Pathology Apr 2024The protozoan parasite Dientamoeba fragilis is a frequently isolated stool organism and postulated cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Peripheral blood eosinophilia has...
The protozoan parasite Dientamoeba fragilis is a frequently isolated stool organism and postulated cause of gastrointestinal symptoms. Peripheral blood eosinophilia has been described. This is the first study amongst the Australasian adult population to assess the relationship between organism detection and eosinophilia. A case-control study took place over 7 years at a single Sydney laboratory site, evaluating patients with D. fragilis identified on stool using real-time PCR with a recent full blood count, to control groups with Giardia spp. and sequential negatives with neither organism. A nested study compared those with microscopic evidence of D. fragilis as a marker of disease burden, to molecular diagnosis alone. Sixty-four D. fragilis, 30 Giardia spp., and 94 sequential controls were enrolled. Only 60.1% of samples were preserved in sodium acetate-acetic acid formalin (SAF) fixative, indication mostly not documented. The major co-organism detected amongst all participants was Blastocystis sp., particularly in the D. fragilis cohort (37.2%). The most common pathogen amongst sequential controls was Campylobacter spp. (7.4%). Patients with D. fragilis were more likely (12.5%) to have a clinically significant eosinophilia (>0.5×10/L) compared to those with Giardia spp. (3.3%) or sequential controls (4.3%) (p=0.03). A significant difference was also noted in the overall median eosinophil count of those with D. fragilis versus all controls (0.2 vs 0.1×10/L, p=0.01); however, this was within the reference interval (where up to >0.5×10/L is accepted in healthy individuals within a typical population). No eosinophil difference was found between those with molecular versus additional microscopic detection of D. fragilis (0.1 vs 0.1×10/L). These results support an association between the identification of clinically significant peripheral blood eosinophilia and D. fragilis presence, which may impact the diagnostic approach to the patient with unexplained eosinophilia. Further prospective trials may help assess any significance further and the implication of co-carriage with other enteric organisms. The importance of clinical indication and need for appropriate fixative media in diagnostic parasitology are also highlighted.
PubMed: 38710610
DOI: 10.1016/j.pathol.2024.01.011 -
Journal of Clinical Microbiology Jun 2005A prospective study was conducted over a 30-month period, in which fecal specimens from 6,750 patients were submitted to the Department of Microbiology at St. Vincent's...
A prospective study was conducted over a 30-month period, in which fecal specimens from 6,750 patients were submitted to the Department of Microbiology at St. Vincent's Hospital, Sydney, Australia. Trophozoites of Dientamoeba fragilis were detected in 60 (0.9%) patients by permanent staining, and confirmation was performed by PCR. Gastrointestinal symptoms were present in all patients, with diarrhea and abdominal pain the most common symptoms. Thirty-two percent of patients presented with chronic symptoms. The average age of infected patients was 39.8 years. No correlation was found between D. fragilis and Enterobius vermicularis, a proposed vector of transmission for D. fragilis. The genetic diversity of 50 D. fragilis isolates was examined by PCR, and the PCR products were analyzed for the presence of restriction fragment length polymorphisms. These results showed no variation in the small-subunit rRNA gene and demonstrated a single genotype for all Australian isolates. This study shows the potential pathogenic properties of D. fragilis and the need for all laboratories to routinely test for this organism.
Topics: Abdominal Pain; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Animals; Australia; Child; Child, Preschool; DNA, Protozoan; Diarrhea; Dientamoeba; Dientamoebiasis; Feces; Female; Genes, rRNA; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; Prevalence; Prospective Studies
PubMed: 15956388
DOI: 10.1128/JCM.43.6.2718-2723.2005 -
Parasites & Vectors Sep 2017Intestinal parasitosis is one of several health concerns about immigrants who travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. Reliable rapid sensitive diagnostic tools, for...
BACKGROUND
Intestinal parasitosis is one of several health concerns about immigrants who travel from endemic to non-endemic regions. Reliable rapid sensitive diagnostic tools, for use in non-endemic regions, are urgently required to enable frequent assessment of immigrant workers in jobs where risk of local transmission is a particular concern (e.g. food-handlers). We assessed the burden of intestinal protozoa in newly arrived immigrants and those applying for renewal of work permits in Qatar (n = 735), by both microscopic examination of stool samples and by Real Time PCR methodology.
RESULTS
Prevalence was considerably higher using RT-PCR compared with coproscopy (Blastocystis hominis: 65.2 vs 7.6%; Giardia duodenalis: 14.3 vs 2.9%; Entamoeba histolytica: 1.6 vs 1.2%). Dientamoeba fragilis was sought only by RT-PCR (prevalence of 25.4%). Prevalence of G. duodenalis was significantly higher in male subjects, associated with blue collar workers and declined over time. Prevalence of B. hominis varied significantly with region of origin of subjects with highest values recorded among African immigrants. Prevalence of D. fragilis also varied with region of origin of subjects, and was lower in young female subjects and in renewal applicants compared with first-time applicants for work permits.
CONCLUSIONS
We strongly recommend that, henceforth, intestinal protozoa should be screened by RT-PCR, with a particular focus on frequent assessment of immigrant food-handlers.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Blastocystis hominis; DNA, Protozoan; Dientamoeba; Emigrants and Immigrants; Entamoeba histolytica; Feces; Female; Giardia lamblia; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Intestines; Male; Microscopy; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Qatar; Young Adult
PubMed: 28877704
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2346-7 -
Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) Apr 2024The guidelines for chronic urticaria in children contain recommendations that are often based on adult studies. The diagnostic pathway has not been standardized and the... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
The guidelines for chronic urticaria in children contain recommendations that are often based on adult studies. The diagnostic pathway has not been standardized and the effectiveness of anti-H1, omalizumab, montelukast, and systemic glucocorticoids is rarely reported in the pediatric population. There is a wide variation in the rate of remission of chronic urticaria between studies. The aim of this study is to enhance our understanding of pediatric chronic urticaria. This study enrolled 37 children with chronic urticaria aged from 0 to 18 years. Demographic parameters, medical history, clinical features, laboratory data and treatment information were collected. Children were treated with the recommended dosage of second-generation H1-antihistamines, which was increased by up to twofold. Omalizumab was added for refractory anti-H1 patients. A three-day course with systemic glucocorticoids was administered for severe exacerbations. Montelukast was administered to some children. : Wheals without angioedema were common. Chronic urticaria was spontaneous in 32 children (86.48%), inducible in 2 (5.41%), induced by a parasite in 1 and vasculitic in 2. Treatment of the potential causes of chronic urticaria was of no benefit, except for eradication of Dientamoeba fragilis. Chronic urticaria was resolved within three years in 45.9% of cases. Allergic diseases were present in nine children (24.32%) and autoimmune diseases were present in three (8.11%). All children were treated with anti-H1 at the licensed dose or at a higher dose. A partial or complete response to anti-H1 was observed in 29 (78.38%) patients. Montelukast showed no benefit. All children treated with omalizumab responded. Systemic glucocorticoids were successfully used to treat exacerbations. Our findings indicate that laboratory tests should not be routinely performed in children with chronic urticaria without clinical suspicion. However, comorbidities such as thyroid autoimmune disease and coeliac disease are suggested to be monitored over the chronic urticaria course. These clinical conditions could be diagnosed from the diagnostic framework of chronic urticaria. Increasing the dosage of anti-H1 and omalizumab was effective in children resistant to standard treatment but we still need further studies to generate a standard patient-centered treatment.
Topics: Humans; Child; Female; Male; Child, Preschool; Adolescent; Chronic Urticaria; Infant; Sulfides; Cyclopropanes; Quinolines; Acetates; Omalizumab; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Glucocorticoids; Anti-Allergic Agents; Infant, Newborn; Chronic Disease; Urticaria
PubMed: 38792886
DOI: 10.3390/medicina60050704 -
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