title: Prevalence and characteristics of Blastocystis hominis infection in children.
abstract: Blastocystis hominis, a protozoan whose pathogenicity has been questioned, is sometimes found in the human gastrointestinal tract. We sought to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis in stool and to characterize clinical features of infection with Blastocystis in children. Forty-six (3%) of 1,736 patients undergoing fecal microscopy at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh between January 1, 1985, and December 31, 1988, harbored Blastocystis. Of these 46 children, 75% had exposure to well water or had been in developing countries. Thirty-nine of the 46 (85%) experienced gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, and weight loss. Blastocystis was the only parasite found in 35 of those 39 symptomatic children. Symptoms resolved within one month in 90% of patients receiving antiparasitic pharmacotherapy, but in only 58% (P < .04) of those receiving no therapy. We conclude that children infected with Blastocystis often experience gastrointestinal symptoms and that treatment increases the rate of symptomatic improvement. We speculate that Blastocystis is a human pathogen.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: O'Gorman
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Orenstein
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Proujansky
authors.forename: R M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Wadowsky
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Putnam
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Kocoshis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016845:Blastocystis hominis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003663:Decision Trees; D003906:Developing Countries; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010270:Parasite Egg Count; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D014195:Travel; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014871:Water Microbiology; D014881:Water Supply / Q000592:standards
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D008795:Metronidazole