Dientamoeba Fragilis, One of the Neglected Intestinal Protozoa

Overview

Journal J Clin Microbiol

Specialty Microbiology

Date 2016 Apr 8

PMID 27053676

Citations 28

Authors

Lynne S Garcia

Affiliations

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Abstract

Dientamoeba fragilis is a single-celled protozoan, closely related to the trichomonads. Reported worldwide as causing human gastrointestinal symptoms, D. fragilis is very common and is second only to Blastocystis spp. Dientamoebiasis equals or exceeds the incidence of giardiasis. This minireview includes diagnostic options, clinical relevance, therapy, an animal model, the confirmed cyst stage, and sequencing data. The development of a rodent model, fulfilling Koch's postulates, and the confirmation of a cyst stage have clarified transmission routes, including fecal-oral transmission. The prevalence of D. fragilis varies between 0% to over 82%; results depend on the geographic location, group studied, and diagnostic methods used.

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