Dientamoeba fragilis in Gaza Strip: a Neglected Protozoan Parasite
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Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to detect Dientamoeba fragilis by iron haematoxylin stain, as well as its prevalence, and association between D. fragilis infection and diarrhoea among patients at-tending Al-Nuseirate Refugee Camp Clinic, Gaza Strip.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 319 children and adults with age ranges from (1 to 75) years old, attending Al-Nussirat Clinic, and who were complaining from clinical symp-toms, like diarrhoea and abdominal pain.
Results: 28 individuals were infected with D. fragilis with a prevalence of 8.8%. The detection of 28 cases infected with D. fragilis was proved using iron haematoxylin stain, but no case was detected by direct smear or formal-ether sedimentation technique. The most frequent symptoms were abdominal pain (96.4%) and diarrhoea (71.4%) in patients with diantamoebiasis and this was statistically signifi-cant (P= 0.03). Co-infection between D. fragilis and Entamoeba histolytica/dispar was 50% and between D. fragilis and Giardia lamblia was 7.1%.
Conclusion: D. fragilis was present in the patients stool samples and was detected and proved using iron haematoxylin stain.
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| Issue | Vol 8 No 2 (2013) | |
| Section | Articles | |
| Keywords | ||
| Diagnosis Dientamoeba fragilis Gaza Prevalence | ||
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