Prévalence de Dientamoeba fragilis (Trichomonadida, Monocercomonadidae) au Centre hospitalier universitaire Mustapha d'Alger : aspects diagnostiques et épidémiologiques

Dientamoeba fragilis is a flagellated protozoan of human large intestine with unclear epidemiology. To estimate its prevalence, we conducted a prospective study from 1st January through 31 December 2012 in which stool samples from 2603 patients were submitted to the laboratory of parasitology of Mustapha's hospital, Algiers. All stool specimens were processed with the use of direct examination, formalin-ether method of Ritchie concentration technique, and Wheatley's trichrome (modification of Gomori trichrome) stained smear. A Graham test was systematically proposed but achieved only for 513 patients. We found a prevalence of 8,76% 95%CI [7,62%-9,78%] by permanent staining (228 cases) ; it's the most frequent parasite after Blastocystis sp with which it is frequently associated (51%). Abdominal bloating, abdominal cramping and constipation are the most common symptoms. Enterobius vermicularis - Dientamoeba fragilis coinfection was studied in 513 subjects and suggests a relationship between these two parasites. Dientamoeba fragilis is frequent in this study and could have potential pathogenic properties. All laboratories have to include routinely permanent staining to research this parasite.