TY - JOUR
T1 - Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations Towards Dientamoeba fragilis in Children
T2 - A Survey Amongst General Practitioners and Pediatricians in the Netherlands
AU - van Kalleveen, Michael W.
AU - van Bergen, Merel
AU - Benninga, Marc A.
AU - Savelkoul, Paul H. M.
AU - Plötz, Frans B.
AU - de Meij, Tim G. J.
N1 - Publisher Copyright: Copyright © 2021 by European Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition and North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition.
PY - 2021/12/1
Y1 - 2021/12/1
N2 - ABSTRACT: This survey was undertaken to obtain insight in the attitude of Dutch physicians towards pathogenicity, diagnostic- and therapeutic approach towards Dientamoeba fragilis in children. Physicians were invited by e-mail for a questionnaire. A total of 211 of 450 physicians (46.9%) completed the questionnaire, including 67 general practitioners (GPs) and 144 pediatricians. Of all respondents, 175 of 211 (82.9%) considered D fragilis a "potential pathogen", when other causes of gastro-intestinal complaints are ruled out. Only 16 of 211 (7.6%) performed diagnostic tests regularly. Diagnostic tests were performed by 162 of 211 (77%) of respondents in children with diarrhea and abdominal pain in consideration of duration of symptoms. Fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was diagnostic modality of preference. Eighty-nine of 142 (62.7%) prescribed metronidazole as antibiotic of first choice. This study shows heterogeneity in clinical practice amongst Dutch physicians regarding diagnostic- and therapeutic approach of D fragilis in children. Different attitude towards pathogenicity and inconsistent guidelines could be causative factors.
AB - ABSTRACT: This survey was undertaken to obtain insight in the attitude of Dutch physicians towards pathogenicity, diagnostic- and therapeutic approach towards Dientamoeba fragilis in children. Physicians were invited by e-mail for a questionnaire. A total of 211 of 450 physicians (46.9%) completed the questionnaire, including 67 general practitioners (GPs) and 144 pediatricians. Of all respondents, 175 of 211 (82.9%) considered D fragilis a "potential pathogen", when other causes of gastro-intestinal complaints are ruled out. Only 16 of 211 (7.6%) performed diagnostic tests regularly. Diagnostic tests were performed by 162 of 211 (77%) of respondents in children with diarrhea and abdominal pain in consideration of duration of symptoms. Fecal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was diagnostic modality of preference. Eighty-nine of 142 (62.7%) prescribed metronidazole as antibiotic of first choice. This study shows heterogeneity in clinical practice amongst Dutch physicians regarding diagnostic- and therapeutic approach of D fragilis in children. Different attitude towards pathogenicity and inconsistent guidelines could be causative factors.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85122110304&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003297
DO - https://doi.org/10.1097/MPG.0000000000003297
M3 - Article
C2 - 34520404
SN - 0277-2116
VL - 73
SP - e121-e125
JO - Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
JF - Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition
IS - 6
ER -