The prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with suspected enteroparasitic disease in a metropolitan area in Denmark

Abstract

The prevalence of Dientamoeba fragilis in patients from a metropolitan area in Denmark was determined by examination of paired stool samples using two techniques: a formol ethyl-acetate concentration technique with unpreserved faeces and a permanent staining technique on faeces preserved with sodium acetate-acetic acid-formalin (SAF). Using the SAF permanent staining technique and the formol ethyl-acetate concentration technique, 25% and 15% of the specimens, respectively, were parasite-positive. D.fragilis was detected in 12 of the 103 patients, only two of whom harboured other recognised pathogenic parasites. Overall, D.fragilis had a remarkably high prevalence in the metropolitan area of Denmark investigated. © 2007 The Authors Journal Compilation © 2007 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.