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Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitoses in a Non-Endemic Setting during a 10-Year Period (2011–2020): A Focus on Dientamoeba fragilis

Authors :
Adriana Calderaro
Mirko Buttrini
Sara Montecchini
Sabina Rossi
Benedetta Farina
Maria Cristina Arcangeletti
Flora De Conto
Carlo Chezzi
Source :
Microorganisms, Vol 10, Iss 2, p 426 (2022)
Publication Year :
2022
Publisher :
MDPI AG, 2022.

Abstract

Dientamoeba fragilis 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 D. fragilis 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 D. fragilis, 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%). D. fragilis 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 D. fragilis found in this study highlights the need to consider this parasite in any differential diagnosis of gastrointestinal disease.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
20762607
Volume :
10
Issue :
2
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Microorganisms
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.563e90327804e7d83887aca769dc51e
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10020426