Dientamoeba fragilis: Difference between revisions

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Dientamoeba fragilis
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== Background ==
=== Microbiology ===
* Gastrointestinal flagellated protozoan parasite

=== Life Cycle ===
* Unclear, but may inoculate humans via [[pinworm]] eggs

== Clinical Presentation ==
* 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:
** [[Is treated by::Iodoquinol]] 650 mg orally three times daily for 20 days
** [[Is treated by::Paromomycin]] 25–35 mg per kg per day orally, in three divided doses, for 7 days
** [[Is treated by::Metronidazole]] 500–750 mg orally three times daily for 10 days, though this may be associated with a higher rate of recurrence

== Further Reading ==
== Further Reading ==
* ''Dientamoeba fragilis'', the Neglected Trichomonad of the Human Bowel. ''Clin Microbiol Rev''. 2016;29(3):553–580. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00076-15 10.1128/CMR.00076-15]
* ''Dientamoeba fragilis'', the Neglected Trichomonad of the Human Bowel. ''Clin Microbiol Rev''. 2016;29(3):553–580. DOI: [https://doi.org/10.1128/CMR.00076-15 10.1128/CMR.00076-15]

Revision as of 16:20, 25 February 2020

Background

Microbiology

  • Gastrointestinal flagellated protozoan parasite

Life Cycle

  • Unclear, but may inoculate humans via pinworm eggs

Clinical Presentation

  • 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 Presentation of Dientamoebiasis. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2010;82(4):614-619. DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.2010.09-0478