Dientamoeba fragilis is a protozoal parasite that can infect the gastrointestinal tract. While infections are rarely serious they may be associated with a number of clinical findings that may be acute or chronic.
The affected patient may be a traveler or a person residing in a developing country.
Some infections are asymptomatic and the patient can shed organisms for weeks or months.
Acute clinical findings include:
(1) diarrhea
(2) loose stools
(3) abdominal pain or discomfort
Chronic clinical findings include:
(1) a persistent diarrhea that may last months or years
Multiple stool samples may be needed to detect the parasite by routine ova and parasite examination because the organism may be shed intermittently.
A patient with dientamoeba may have other enteric protozoa as well.
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