title: [Role of Dientamoeba fragilis in human bowel infections].
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Libero Professionista in Parassitologia e Microbiologia Medica, Perugia, Italy.
authors.forename: Daniele
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Crotti
authors.forename: Maria Letizia
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: D'Annibale
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D001399:Azure Stains; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000469:parasitology; D003968:Diarrhea, Infantile / Q000469:parasitology; D004029:Dientamoeba / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D004030:Dientamoebiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D007422:Intestines / Q000469:parasitology; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012621:Seasons; D013045:Species Specificity; D013194:Staining and Labeling
chemical_list: D001399:Azure Stains