Background: Enteric parasite infections are underestimated due to the limited sensitivity and specificity of microscopy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard in routine clinical practice. This could be a major problem in high-income countries, where the burden of parasitic diseases is low. In recent years, Multiplex Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based methods have been implemented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of four enteric protozoan species detected by RT-PCR in non-native children in Italy, and to describe their clinical characteristics. Methods: Adopted and immigrant children, evaluated for migration health assessment between 2017 and 2020 in a tertiary care children's hospital in Italy, were enrolled. Molecular analysis for Giardia lamblia, Dientamoeba fragilis, Blastocystis hominis, and Entamoeba histolytica, was conducted by in-house RT-PCR. Results: Overall, 209 children were enrolled and 70% of them resulted positive by RT-PCR for at least one enteric parasite. B. hominis (47.8%) was the most commonly identified protozoa, followed by D. fragilis (44.5%). Co-infections with multiple pathogens were detected in 35.4% of the samples. Almost 80% of parasite-positive children were asymptomatic and the most common symptom was flatulence (60.7% of symptomatic children). Eosinophils were significantly increased in RT-PCR positive children compared to the negative ones and children with D. fragilis presented the highest eosinophils count. Conclusions: The In-house Multiplex RT-PCR assay provides a valid molecular detection system for selected enteric parasites. This novel and accurate diagnostic method can help in increasing the detection rate of parasite infection, especially in high-risk population.

Epidemiology and clinical features of intestinal protozoan infections detected by Real-time PCR in non-native children within an Italian tertiary care children's hospital: A cross-sectional study / Venturini, E.; Scarso, S.; Prelazzi, G. A.; Niccolai, C.; Bianchi, L.; Montagnani, C.; Lapini, M.; Chiappini, E.; Antonelli, A.; Rossolini, G. M.; Galli, L.. - In: TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE. - ISSN 1477-8939. - 43:(2021), p. 102107. [10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102107]

Epidemiology and clinical features of intestinal protozoan infections detected by Real-time PCR in non-native children within an Italian tertiary care children's hospital: A cross-sectional study

Scarso S.;
2021

Abstract

Background: Enteric parasite infections are underestimated due to the limited sensitivity and specificity of microscopy, which remains the diagnostic gold standard in routine clinical practice. This could be a major problem in high-income countries, where the burden of parasitic diseases is low. In recent years, Multiplex Real-Time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) based methods have been implemented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of four enteric protozoan species detected by RT-PCR in non-native children in Italy, and to describe their clinical characteristics. Methods: Adopted and immigrant children, evaluated for migration health assessment between 2017 and 2020 in a tertiary care children's hospital in Italy, were enrolled. Molecular analysis for Giardia lamblia, Dientamoeba fragilis, Blastocystis hominis, and Entamoeba histolytica, was conducted by in-house RT-PCR. Results: Overall, 209 children were enrolled and 70% of them resulted positive by RT-PCR for at least one enteric parasite. B. hominis (47.8%) was the most commonly identified protozoa, followed by D. fragilis (44.5%). Co-infections with multiple pathogens were detected in 35.4% of the samples. Almost 80% of parasite-positive children were asymptomatic and the most common symptom was flatulence (60.7% of symptomatic children). Eosinophils were significantly increased in RT-PCR positive children compared to the negative ones and children with D. fragilis presented the highest eosinophils count. Conclusions: The In-house Multiplex RT-PCR assay provides a valid molecular detection system for selected enteric parasites. This novel and accurate diagnostic method can help in increasing the detection rate of parasite infection, especially in high-risk population.
2021
Adopted children; Children; Immigrant children; Parasite; Polymerase chain reaction; Protozoan; RT-PCR; Child; Cross-Sectional Studies; Feces; Hospitals; Humans; Italy; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Tertiary Healthcare; Giardia lamblia; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Protozoan Infections
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Epidemiology and clinical features of intestinal protozoan infections detected by Real-time PCR in non-native children within an Italian tertiary care children's hospital: A cross-sectional study / Venturini, E.; Scarso, S.; Prelazzi, G. A.; Niccolai, C.; Bianchi, L.; Montagnani, C.; Lapini, M.; Chiappini, E.; Antonelli, A.; Rossolini, G. M.; Galli, L.. - In: TRAVEL MEDICINE AND INFECTIOUS DISEASE. - ISSN 1477-8939. - 43:(2021), p. 102107. [10.1016/j.tmaid.2021.102107]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1610140
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