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Updated: Mar 26, 2026

Comparative Analysis of Automatic Fecal Analyzer versus Direct Wet Smear Microscopy for Detecting Parasitic Infections in Stool Samples
Published on: April 25, 2025
First case of intestinal acariasis from Egypt
Refaat M A Khalifa1, Manal Z M Abdellatif2, Azza K Ahmed2
1Medical Parasitology Departments, Faculty of Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, Egypt.
Abstract:
We are hereby reporting a case where the eggs and adults of the mold mites; Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Shrank) and the trophozoites of Blastocystis sp. were found in stool of three years old child from Minia City, Egypt. Intestinal mite infection was diagnosed after repeated identification of mite' stages from six consecutive stool samples to exclude the possibilities of contamination and spurious infection. The patient was suffering from severe colicky abdominal pain and burning sensation around the anus one month ago. All other members of his family were having the same acarine in their feces, but were all symptomless. The patient was treated with ivermectin 200 µg/kg body weight once every 10 days for three doses. His cure indicated that he was having asymptomatic blastocystosis.
Insights
Mold mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and Blastocystis sp. were identified in a child's stool. Successful treatment with ivermectin suggests the patient had asymptomatic blastocystosis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Clinical Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Intestinal parasitic infections can present with varied symptoms, complicating diagnosis.
- Mold mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and Blastocystis sp. are known human and animal parasites.
- Co-infection with parasites can lead to diagnostic challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of intestinal mite and Blastocystis co-infection in a child.
- To investigate the diagnostic approach for suspected intestinal acariasis.
- To evaluate the treatment efficacy of ivermectin in this specific case.
Main Methods:
- Stool sample analysis for parasite identification over six consecutive samples.
- Clinical evaluation of patient symptoms and family history.
- Treatment with ivermectin and monitoring of patient's response.
Main Results:
- Eggs and adults of mold mites (Tyrophagus putrescentiae) and Blastocystis sp. trophozoites were identified in the patient's stool.
- The patient experienced severe abdominal pain and perianal burning.
- Family members were asymptomatic carriers of mites.
- Complete symptom resolution after ivermectin treatment.
Conclusions:
- Repeated stool examinations are crucial for diagnosing spurious or incidental findings of mites.
- Ivermectin proved effective in treating the patient's condition.
- The case highlights the potential for Blastocystis sp. to cause symptoms, possibly masked by other infections or presenting as asymptomatic blastocystosis.
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