Diarrhea associated with Pentatrichomonas hominis in an infant: A case report

ABSTRACT

Pentatrichomonas hominis is a flagellated protozoan parasite that resides in the digestive tract of humans and is generally nonpathogenic. Although parasites of diarrheal etiology are widespread, neonatal infection with P. hominis is an uncommon incident. This case report depicts an instance of active P. hominis in an 8-month- old child with complaints of fever, vomiting, and loose stools. Stool examination was done with saline and iodine wet mount that showed motile trophozoites of P. hominis with a jerky movement. Treatment with metronidazole was effective as no parasite was found on repeated stool examinations. Pentatrichomonas hominis should be recognized as a cause of diarrhea in neonates, despite being rare.