Dientamoeba Fragilis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Dientamoeba Fragilis Definition

Any of various flagellate protozoans of the genus Trichomonas, occurring as parasites in the digestive and urogenital tracts of vertebrates. The trichomonads are an order of anaerobic protists, included with the parabasalids. Trichomonads reproduce by a special form of longitudinal fission, leading to large numbers of trophozoites in a relatively short time.

A small amoeba that is parasitic in the large intestine and is capable of causing low-grade inflammation coupled with mucous diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbance. It may be exacerbated by certain foods, stress or miscellaneous factors and improved by various manoeuvres. Infection may occur at any age.

Dientamoeba fragilis Causes

Dientamoeba fragilis is a nonflagellate trichomonad parasite and is one of the smaller parasites that can live in the human large intestine. A small amoeba that is parasitic in the large intestine and is capable of causing low-grade inflammation coupled with mucous diarrhea and gastrointestinal disturbance. Though dientamoeba fragilisthe ability of to cause disease is still questioned by some, the circumstantial evidence incriminating this organism as a pathogen is overwhelming.

People who live in institutions that have poor sanitary conditions and travelers who visit developing countries have the highest risk for the infection of dientamoeba.

Dientamoeba fragilis Symptoms

Many people with this infection are asymptomatic. Many infected people do not have any symptoms.

The other symptoms of the dientamoeba fragilis may be included:

• loose stools
• intermittent diarrhea
• abdominal cramping
• anorexia
• fatigue
• weight loss
• loss of appetite
• stomach pain
• abdominal tenderness

Dientamoeba fragilis Treatments

Metronidazole, Tetracycline and Iodoquinol are all conventional drugs, that may be used in the treatment of Dientamoeba fragilis.

Flagyl may still the most commonly prescribed drug for treating dientamoeba.

Symptomatic relief may be reported in children receiving diiodohydroxyquin.