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Dientamoeba fragilis in Ulcerative Colitis: Analysis of Clinical Findings and Biochemical Parameters
Ismail Taskiran1, Erdogan Malatyali2, Ibrahim Yildiz2
1Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, 09010 Aydin, Turkey.
Abstract:
Although Dientamoeba fragilis is a common protozoan in humans, its pathogenicity and clinical significance in human diseases remain poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the frequency of D. fragilis in adult ulcerative colitis patients and to assess its relationship with clinical findings, disease characteristics, and biochemical parameters. Patient data were analysed in a prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional design. Faecal samples were consecutively collected from June to December 2024 and screened for D. fragilis positivity using polymerase chain reaction. Of the 110 patients, 33 (30%) were in the active stage of the disease, while 77 (70%) were in remission. The overall frequency of D. fragilis was 10.9% (n = 12), with all isolates classified as genotype 1 according to SSU rRNA sequence analysis. Other protozoa identified were Blastocystis sp. (n = 5, 4.5%), Entamoeba coli (n = 1, 0.9%), and Iodamoeba bütschlii (n = 1, 0.9%). Two patients were co-infected with D. fragilis and Blastocystis. No significant associations were found between D. fragilis positivity and the disease stage, gastrointestinal symptoms, treatment response, or biochemical findings. In conclusion, despite the relatively small sample size, these findings highlight a limited clinical role of D. fragilis in adult ulcerative colitis patients.
Insights
Dientamoeba fragilis, a common human protozoan, showed a 10.9% frequency in adult ulcerative colitis patients. This study found no significant link between D. fragilis and disease activity or symptoms, suggesting a limited clinical role.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Dientamoeba fragilis is a common human protozoan parasite.
- Its pathogenicity and clinical significance in human diseases are not well understood.
- Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with complex etiologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of Dientamoeba fragilis in adult ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.
- To assess the relationship between D. fragilis infection and clinical findings in UC.
- To evaluate associations with disease characteristics and biochemical parameters in UC patients.
Main Methods:
- Prospective, single-centre, cross-sectional study design.
- Faecal samples collected from 110 adult UC patients (June-December 2024).
- Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) used for D. fragilis detection; SSU rRNA sequencing for genotyping.
Main Results:
- Overall D. fragilis frequency was 10.9% (12/110 patients), with all isolates being genotype 1.
- Other identified protozoa included Blastocystis sp., Entamoeba coli, and Iodamoeba bütschlii.
- No significant associations found between D. fragilis positivity and UC disease stage, symptoms, treatment response, or biochemical markers.
Conclusions:
- Dientamoeba fragilis infection is present in adult ulcerative colitis patients but appears to have a limited clinical role.
- The study suggests D. fragilis does not significantly influence disease activity or clinical presentation in this cohort.
- Further research with larger sample sizes may be warranted to definitively establish the clinical significance of D. fragilis in UC.
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