[Blastocystosis: controversy and indefinedness].
Blastocystosis is the infection caused by Blastocystis hominis. It is associated with frequent and unquestionably very important controversy and lack of definition, above all due to its implications for general assistance and medical care. In that connection, there is considerable disagreement on the subject of the pathogenicity of this protozoan, which should be categorically defined. Other aspects besides the above, require clarification through results from well conducted studies aiming at attributing Blastocystis hominis a proper role within the context of public health. Another matter worthy of attention is the diagnostic value of the parasitological stool examination, with the proviso that it is adequate, as are fecal smears suspended in saline solution or permanent mounts stained with iron hematoxylin or thionine. The use of inadequate techniques tends to produce false negative results, thereby impeding investigation into the real importance of this microorganism.
Amato Neto
Vicente
V
Departamento de Parasitologia, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brasil. amatonet@usp.br
Rodríguez Alarcón
Ruth Semira
RS
Gakiya
Erika
E
Bezerra
Rita Cristina
RC
Ferreira
Cláudio Santos
CS
Braz
Lúcia Maria Almeida
LM
D000818:Animals; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D006416:Hematoxylin; D006801:Humans
D006416:Hematoxylin