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.
方法:收养和移民儿童,对2017年至2020年在意大利一家三级保健儿童医院进行的移民健康评估进行了评估,已注册。蓝氏贾第鞭毛虫的分子分析,脆弱的变形虫,人芽囊原虫,和溶组织内阿米巴,通过内部RT-PCR进行。
结果:总体而言,209名儿童入组,其中70%的儿童通过RT-PCR对至少一种肠寄生虫呈阳性。人类芽孢杆菌(47.8%)是最常见的原生动物,其次是D.fragilis(44.5%)。在35.4%的样本中检测到与多种病原体的共感染。几乎80%的寄生虫阳性儿童无症状,最常见的症状是胀气(有症状的儿童占60.7%)。与阴性儿童相比,RT-PCR阳性儿童的嗜酸性粒细胞显着增加,而脆弱D.fragilis儿童的嗜酸性粒细胞计数最高。
结论:内部多重RT-PCR检测为选定的肠道寄生虫提供了有效的分子检测系统。这种新颖而准确的诊断方法有助于提高寄生虫感染的检出率,尤其是高危人群。