# Molecular detection of Dientamoeba fragilis in children in southern Xinjiang, China

## TL;DR

This study found a 4.4% infection rate of Dientamoeba fragilis in preschool children in southern Xinjiang, China, with the highest rate in Yopurga and all cases being genotype 1.

## Contribution

The study reports the first molecular detection of D. fragilis genotype 1 in southern Xinjiang and highlights regional variation in infection rates.

## Key findings

- D. fragilis infection rate was 4.4% (27/609) in preschool children from southern Xinjiang.
- All 27 positive samples were identified as genotype 1 based on SSU rRNA gene analysis.
- Significant regional variation in infection rates was observed (p = 0.001), with the highest in Yopurga (15.9%).

## Abstract

Dientamoeba fragilis is a common intestinal parasite in human and animals worldwide. In this study, 609 fecal samples were collected from preschool children in 11 counties in Southern Xinjiang, China. All samples were screened for D. fragilis using PCR targeting SSU rRNA gene, revealing an infection rate of 4.4 % (27/609). Seven of the 11 counties were D. fragilis-positive. The highest infection rate was 15.9 % (10/63) in Yopurga, and the lowest infection rate was 0.9 % (1/109) in Lop. Infection rates in boys and girls were 4.4 % (13/299) and 4.5 % (14/310), respectively. Genetic analysis identified all 27 positive samples as genotype 1. These results confirmed the presence of D. fragilis in children in southern Xinjiang, China. The high degree of sequence homology in the SSU rRNA gene indicates a clonal distribution pattern for D. fragilis.

•D. fragilis infection rate in Xinjiang children: 4.4 % (27/609), highest in Yopurga (15.9 %).•All 27 D. fragilis isolates were identified as genotype 1 at the SSU rRNA gene.•No gender difference (boys 4.4 %, girls 4.5 %); significant regional variation (p = 0.001).•Possibility of zoonotic transmission of D. fragilis in China should not be ignored.

D. fragilis infection rate in Xinjiang children: 4.4 % (27/609), highest in Yopurga (15.9 %).

All 27 D. fragilis isolates were identified as genotype 1 at the SSU rRNA gene.

No gender difference (boys 4.4 %, girls 4.5 %); significant regional variation (p = 0.001).

Possibility of zoonotic transmission of D. fragilis in China should not be ignored.