Background
Microbiology
- Gastrointestinal flagellated protozoan parasite
Life Cycle
- Unclear, but may inoculate humans via pinworm eggs
Clinical Manifestations
- There exists some debate about its pathogenicity
- Many cases are asymptomatic and incidental on stool ova & parasite
- Attributable symptoms, when present, vague abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, fatigue, weight loss and anorexia
Management
- Look for coinfection with Enterobius vermicularis
- If symptomatic, treat with:
- Iodoquinol 650 mg orally three times daily for 20 days
- Paromomycin 25–35 mg per kg per day orally, in three divided doses, for 7 days
- Metronidazole 500–750 mg orally three times daily for 10 days, though this may be associated with a higher rate of recurrence
Further Reading
- Dientamoeba fragilis, the Neglected Trichomonad of the Human Bowel. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2016;29(3):553–580. DOI: 10.1128/CMR.00076-15
- Dientamoeba fragilis: A harmless commensal or a mild pathogen? Paed Child Health. 1998;3(2):81-82. DOI: 10.1093/pch/3.2.81
- A Review of the Clinical Manifestations of Dientamoebiasis. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010;82(4):614-619. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0478
