Blastocystis Hominis:  a Mysterious and Commonly Disregarded Parasite

Tasić, Nataša Miladinović; Milenković, Tatjana; Bujić, Vera; Zdravković, Dragan; Tasić, Aleksandar

doi:10.22190/fumb161027001t

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 66 publications

(102 reference statements)

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“…The mean number of cysts detected in the infected subgroup treated by probiotics (Lactobacillus) (Tga) was 800 cysts with an SD of 28.39. The mean number of cysts detected in infected subgroup treated by combined metronidazole and probiotics (Lactobacillus) (Tgb) 520 cyst with SD= 18.4 As shown in Tables (1,2) and Figures (1). There was a decrease in mean parasitic count in all infected treated subgroups compared to positive infected non-treated control subgroup.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

2022

TJNPR

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Blastocystis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans, with a worldwide distribution. It is a tiny parasite that lives in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic bacteria have been found in the feces of some people who have diarrhea, stomach pain, or other gastrointestinal issues. Probiotic bacteria have proven to be effective in treating many digestive diseases, and they stimulate early immunity in children and improve immunity at all ages. The present study aimed to confirm the probiotic role in parasitic diseases, if any. To do so, Blastocystis hominis was used as a model to confirm probiotic effectiveness in parasitic infections. Children with recurrent diarrhoea had their stools sampled as part of an experimental study. After microscopic inspection of all stool samples for Blastocystis hominis and other parasites, isolated Blastocystis hominis was used to infect BALB/C mice. In experimentally infected mice, the effectiveness of metronidazole coupled with probiotics was compared to that of metronidazole alone and probiotics alone. Compared to the infected group treated with metronidazole and the infected group treated with probiotics, the mean number of cysts in the stools of infected mice significantly decreased in the metronidazole combination probiotics treatment group.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

2022

TJNPR

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“…For diagnosis of Blastocystis infection to be made, several stool samples (at least 3) are required, more than 5 cysts in the visual field without other parasites. [ 36 ]…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Blastocystis spp. infection in cases of diarrhea

Jha

Gupta

Bhatia

2021

Tropical Parasitology

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Context: Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are among the most common infections throughout the world. Blastocystis spp. is a mysterious parasite which is commonly encountered in tropical countries. Its pathogenic status is unknown and there is a paucity of literature about this organism from the state of Uttarakhand, India. Aims: The aim was to estimate the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in diarrheal stools. Settings and Design: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to July 2019. Subjects and Methods: Nonrepetitive stool samples of 187 consecutive patients of diarrhea attending the inpatient department and outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, were collected after obtaining informed written consent. These samples were subjected to wet mount microscopy and permanent staining. Statistical Analysis Used: Fisher's exact test and Kappa coefficient were used in this study. Results: The mean age ± standard deviation of the patients was 36.04 ± 11.31 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.49:1. The prevalence of IPI was 36.09%. Giardia intestinalis was the most common parasite. Blastocystis spp. was observed in 6.42% of the stool samples, majority of which were obtained from cases of chronic diarrhea. Moderate agreement (0.48) was observed between wet mount microscopy and permanent staining in the identification of Blastocystis spp. Conclusions: This is the first study to assess the burden and role of different epidemiological and clinical profiles of Blastocystis spp. in Uttarakhand. More studies are required to know its pathogenesis and its role as opportunistic pathogen.

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“…Secretory IgA, and serum IgA, and IgG levels in Blastocystis-positive people with and without symptoms were looked into by ELISA, and the data revealed that patients with symptoms had significantly higher IgA, and antibodies reactive to Blastocystis (Mahmoud and Saleh 2003). Furthermore, (Tasić et al 2017) reported that symptomatic cases have elevated IgG titers and IgA response is weak or absent in asymptomatic infections.…”

Section: Serodiagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Epizootiology of Blastocystis spp.: A Parasite with Zoonotic Concern

2023

IJAB

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Blastocystosis is an enteric infection caused by globally distributed unicellular Protista Blastocystis. Various animals' species as well as human can be parasitized by Blastocystis species. Due to the existence of genetic diversity between Blastocystis isolates in different hosts recently the organisms were defined as Blastocystis spp. or subtypes, although they are morphologically alike. About 34 valid subtypes have been reported in different hosts. Dissimilarity in Blastocystis genotypes have significant effect on their pathogenicity. The organism is poly morphic, and several distinct morphological forms have been observed including vacuolar, granular, cyst, and amebic forms. Blastocystis spp. are transmit through feco-oral rout via contaminated food and water. The risk for human infection might be higher in the existence of infected animals with Blastocystis, as well as in poor hygienic conditions. Although most of reported cases are asymptomatic, Blastocystis infection can associated with gastrointestinal disorders and appearance of nonspecific symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea which might be self-limiting or severe. Blastocystosis also accompany with extra-intestinal urticaria signs such as palmoplantar pruritus. The organism also reported from cases of irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosis of Blastocystis infection can be done conventionally based on the parasitological methods including microscopic examination of fecal smear. In vitro cultivation of fecal samples in supplemented medium was another detection method. The development of molecular techniques provides a sensitive, and rapid detection procedures for Blastocystis spp., also aid in genotypes differentiation. Metronidazole is the treatment of choice for Blastocystosis. Control measures include improvement in hygiene, and sanitation conditions, increased health awareness also essential in preventing enteric parasites.

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Blastocystis Hominis: a Mysterious and Commonly Disregarded Parasite

Cited by 7 publications

References 66 publications

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

Blastocystis spp. infection in cases of diarrhea

Epizootiology of Blastocystis spp.: A Parasite with Zoonotic Concern

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