ABSTRACT
Initially observed by Wenyon in 1909 and fully documented by Jepps and Dobell in 1918, Dientamoeba fragilis is a unflagellated flagellate that is a grossly neglected foodborne pathogen found in 0.4% of patients with gastrointestinal discomfort and up to 82.9% of children with gastrointestinal protozoan diseases. Dientamoeba fragilis is a single-celled trichomonad parasite with the ability to induce gastrointestinal diseases in human population, especially children. The application of molecular techniques has helped clarify its taxonomic status, enable its sensitive and specific diagnosis as well as epidemiological tracking, and facilitate further investigation on its pathogenic mechanisms, along with development of innovative measure for its ultimate control and elimination. As the preferred host, humans acquire D. fragilis infection after ingestion of food or water containing trophozoites. Light microscopy of saline or iodine preparations from stool reveals D. fragilis trophozoites as nonspecific rounded masses.
