Description:
Symptoms associated with Dientamoeba
fragilis include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, and weight loss. A possible link between D. fragilis and irritable bowel
syndrome (IBS)-like symptoms have been reported, and therefore the presence of
this parasite should be excluded before making a diagnosis of IBS. This article
aims to assess the usefulness of faecal parasite culture for the detection of
D. fragilis, and provide more reliable data on its prevalence.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the history of D. fragilis
- Discuss the relationship between D. fragilis and B. hominis
- Discuss the relationship between D. fragilis and irritable
bowel syndrome
Author(s):
J. J. Windsor
L. MacFarlane
G. Hughes-Thapa
S.K.A. Jones
T.M. Whiteside
Launched: 2004