III.—Flagellate Diarrhœa and Dysentery

The chief causal agents are Trichomonas hominis (T. intestinalis), Chilomastix (Tetramitus) mesnili and allied organisms (see pp. to 57), and Lamblia intestinalis (see pp. to 60 and Appendix pp. to 736).

These parasites and the associated diarrhœas occur in temperate as well as in warm climates. Probably some of the diarrhœas in India are thus caused. The same, or similar parasites occur in various Muridæ, especially rats and mice, which may act as reservoirs.

(i) Mello-Leitao (1913), writing from Rio de Janeiro, states that there is a primary flagellate dysentery, due to Trichomonas intestinalis (Leuckart) and to Lamblia intestinalis (Lambl), either separately or in combination. He considers it a benign disease, and the most frequent form of dysentery in young children. Trichomonas and Lamblia were found to be pathogenic to children under 3 years of age.

Escomel (1913) collected 152 cases of dysentery in Peru due solely to Trichomonas. Examination of the reservoirs containing the water used for drinking purposes showed the presence of Trichomonas. After the reservoirs were cleaned no more Trichomonas was found and the cases of dysentery ceased.

Brumpt (1912) described a colitis due to Trichomonas intestinalis in a patient returned from Tonkin.

Cases of infection by Chilomastix (Tetramitus) mesnili, with colitis or dysenteric symptoms, are recorded by Brumpt (1912) from France, and by Nattan-Larrier (1912) from the Ivory Coast respectively.

Marques da Cunha and Torres (1914) describe five cases of chronic diarrhœa in Brazilian children due to the Chilomastix (Tetramitus).

Gäbel (1914) described a case of seasonal diarrhœa contracted in Tunis and caused by a Tetramitid parasite which he named Difämus tunensis, as the discoverer considered that it lacked an undulating membrane in its large cytostome.

Derrieu and Raynaud (1914) record a case of chronic dysentery in Algeria due to a Trichomonad possessing an undulating membrane and five free flagella. The parasite was named Hexamastix ardindelteili, but the generic name Hexamastix is pre-occupied. Chatterjee’s Pentatrichomonas bengalensis (1915) is possibly the same organism.

Treatment.—Escomel (1913), finding ipecacuanha and calomel useless, recommends turpentine for Trichomonad dysentery. Two to 4 gr of essence of turpentine in an emulsion are given by the mouth, and enemata containing 15 to 20 drops of turpentine emulsified in the yolk of an egg to which is added a little water and tincture of opium. Derrieu and Raynaud found this treatment effective in Algeria. Smithies (1912) reports two cures of cases of severe dyspepsia, in which Trichomonads were found in the stomach contents, after administration of a single dose of 50 to 60 gr. of thymol, given at bed-time, together with 2 gr. of calomel, and followed by an ounce of Carlsbad salts in the morning. The patients came from the Southern United States, and had been in the habit of drinking unfiltered surface water in the localities in which they lived. Mello-Leitao used magnesium sulphate and water or milk diet. Sometimes enemata of collargol (1 per cent.) or electrargol were required. Rosenfeld recommended calomel. Methylene blue has also been tried. Recently, Escomel (1914) recommends enemata of an aqueous solution of iodine (1 per 1,000) and farinaceous diet. Lynch (1915), working in South Carolina, recommends a mouth wash of saturated solution of bicarbonate of soda three times daily in oral infections. A similar solution was used as a douche in vaginal trichomoniasis.

Stiles (1913) points out that when amœbæ or flagellates are found in a large percentage (10 to 40, or even 60) of the members of a community, means should be taken to improve the methods for the disposal of the dejecta, so that the food supply may be carefully protected against fæcal contamination. Cysts of the parasites may be air-borne or conveyed to food on the bodies of house-flies.

(ii) Lamblia intestinalis in man may cause diarrhœa with dysenteriform stools. The diarrhœa may be of a chronic recurrent character. The flagellate, or a variety of it, is fairly common in the digestive tract of rats and mice.

Mathis (1914) gives an interesting account of cases in Tonkin. In a child, aged 3, the stools were at first glairy and blood-stained, containing many encysted Lamblia. The child’s home was infested with mice. In another case, the house of the patient harboured numerous rats.

According to Mathis, prognosis is favourable, but emetine hydrochloride is without action on Lamblia. Prowazek and Werner (1914), however, state that emetine will act upon the flagellates, but not upon the cysts. They recommend uzara (two tablets, three times daily) and extract of male fern as useful in certain cases. Martin Mayer (1914) found emetine hydrochloride successful in a case in the Hamburg Seamen’s Hospital, but Assmy (1914) points out that a suitable diet and daily doses of magnesium sulphate are sufficient, in his experience, to effect an improvement, and he doubts the specific action of emetine. Escomel (1914) recommends milk diet, then calomel succeeded by castor oil.

According to Noc, Lamblia may also be water-borne. Healthy carriers of Lamblia cysts are known. Food should be protected from being soiled by rats and mice.