Pentatrichomonas hominis and other intestinal parasites in school-aged children: Clinical and coproscopic survey

Abstract

Pentatrichomonas hominis (P.hominis) is a large intestinal flagellated protozoan infecting humans. Little is known about the epidemiology of P.hominis in Egypt, its association with gastrointestinal symptoms and the co-infection with other parasites. Demographic and clinical data were collected from 180 school-aged children. Parasitological examination of fecal samples was done using direct wet mount, formalin ethyl-acetate, Kato-Katz and cultivation on Jones' medium to detect P.hominis and associated parasitic infection. The diagnosis of P.hominis was confirmed using Giemsa stain and scanning electron microscopy. The prevalence of P. hominis was 13.8% (25 out of 180 children). The prevalence of parasitic co-infection was significantly higher in P.hominis infected (84%, 21 participants) than in non-infected children (56%, 87 participants).The presence of abdominal pain and diarrhea in P.hominis infected children was higher than in non-infected children (84% and 32% vs. 76% and 18%), respectively. The difference was not statistically significant. This is the first report of P.hominis in Egypt. The significant association between P.hominis and other intestinal parasites may highlight the pathogenicity of P.hominis. Further studies are needed to understand the epidemiology and pathogenicity of P.hominis.