Blastocystis hominis as a Potential Cause of Diarrhea in AIDS Patients: a Report of Six Cases in Bahia, Brazil.
The role of Blastocystis hominis as a human pathogen is controversial, although there is some evidence suggesting that it is the agent implicated in causing diarrhea in immunocompromised patients. We report 6 cases of AIDS patients presenting with diarrhea with no agents identified in their stools exceptB. hominis. In all cases, treatment was followed by complete recovery from symptoms and clearance of B. hominis from the patients' stools. In 2 cases, relapse of diarrhea was followed by a positive stool examination for B. hominis oocysts, which again disappeared after treatment. These findings provide additional evidence for considering B. hominis a potential intestinal pathogen in AIDS patients.
Brites
C
University Hospital Prof. Edgard Santos Federal University of Bahia, Brazil.
Barberino
MG
Bastos
MA
Sampaio Sá M
Silva
N