Tropheryma whipplei intestinal colonization in Italian and migrant population: A retrospective observational study

Anna Beltrame, Andrea Ragusa, Francesca Perandin, Fabio Formenti, Florence Fenollar, Sophie Edouard, Maureen Laroche, Giorgio Zavarise, Francesco Doro, Giovanni Giorli, Didier Raoult, Zeno Bisoffi

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

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.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)283-292
Number of pages10
JournalFuture Microbiology
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Europe
  • PCR
  • Tropheryma whipplei
  • Whipple's disease
  • epidemiology
  • intestinal colonization
  • migrants

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)

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