AIM: To obtain the first molecular epidemiological survey of Tropheryma whipplei intestinal colonization in Italy. Materials & methods: Retrospective, observational study to assess the prevalence of T. whipplei, the causative agent of Whipple's disease, in stool samples (real-time PCR) of patients attending the Center for Tropical Diseases (Italy) and risk factors associated. RESULTS: Overall prevalence was 6.9% (85/1240). The younger age group showed a significantly higher rate than older age group (12.7 vs 5.9%, p = 0.002). The prevalence was 4.9% for Italians and 9.3% for migrants (p = 0.003). Among the latter, children less than 10 years had higher prevalence than older ones (17.3 vs 7.3%, p = 0.003). The young age, male gender and Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica coinfection were risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms an increased risk of acquiring T. whipplei infection during childhood, under poor sanitary conditions.
AIM: To obtain the first molecular epidemiological survey of Tropheryma whipplei intestinal colonization in Italy. Materials & methods: Retrospective, observational study to assess the prevalence of T. whipplei, the causative agent of Whipple's disease, in stool samples (real-time PCR) of patients attending the Center for Tropical Diseases (Italy) and risk factors associated. RESULTS: Overall prevalence was 6.9% (85/1240). The younger age group showed a significantly higher rate than older age group (12.7 vs 5.9%, p = 0.002). The prevalence was 4.9% for Italians and 9.3% for migrants (p = 0.003). Among the latter, children less than 10 years had higher prevalence than older ones (17.3 vs 7.3%, p = 0.003). The young age, male gender and Giardia duodenalis and Entamoeba histolytica coinfection were risk factors. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms an increased risk of acquiring T. whippleiinfection during childhood, under poor sanitary conditions.
Authors: Lucia Moro; Elena Pomari; Martina Leonardi; Giulia La Marca; Barbara Pajola; Cristina Mazzi; Chiara Piubelli; Anna Beltrame Journal: Microorganisms Date: 2022-04-02
Authors: Kirsten Alexandra Eberhardt; Fred Stephen Sarfo; Eva-Maria Klupp; Albert Dompreh; Veronica Di Cristanziano; Edmund Osei Kuffour; Richard Boateng; Betty Norman; Richard Odame Phillips; Martin Aepfelbacher; Torsten Feldt Journal: Microorganisms Date: 2021-08-22