Pentatrichomonas hominis and other intestinal parasites in school-aged children: coproscopic survey

AbstractPentatrichomonas hominis (P. hominis) is a large intestinal flagellated protozoan infecting humans. Little is known about the epidemiology ofP.hominis in Egypt, its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and the co-infection with other parasites. Demographic and clinical data were collected from 180 school-aged children. Parasitological examination of fecal samples was done using direct wet mount, formalin ethyl-acetate, Kato –Katz and cultivation on Jones’ medium to detectP. hominis and associated parasitic infection. The diagnosis ofP. hominis was confirmed using Giemsa stain and scanning electron microscopy. The prevalence ofP. hominis was 13.8% (25 out of 180 children). The prevalence of parasitic co-infection was significantly higher inP. hominis infected (84%, 21 participants) than in non-infected children (56%, 87 participants). The presence of abdominal pain and diarrhea inP. hominis infected children was higher than in non-infected children (84% and 32% vs. 76% and 18%), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. This is the first report ofP. hominis in Egypt. The significant association betweenP. hominis and other intestinal parasites need more investigations. Further studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity ofP. hominis.
Source: Journal of Parasitic Diseases - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research