Pathogenicity of Blastocystis hominis, a clinical reevaluation.
Blastocystis (B.) hominis was considered to be a member of normal intestinal flora in the past, but in recent years it has been accepted as a very controversial pathogenic protozoan. In this study, 52 individuals whose stool examination revealed B. hominis were evaluated for clinical symptoms. Metronidazole was administered for 2 weeks to the patients infected with B. hominis. After 2 weeks of treatment they were called for a follow-up stool examination. No other bacteriological and parasitological agents were found during stool examination of these patients. The frequency rate of intestinal symptoms was 88.4% in the B. hominis cases. Abdominal pain was the most frequent symptom (76.9%). Diarrhea and distention followed at a rate of 50.0% and 32.6%. Intestinal symptoms may be seen frequently together with the presence of B. hominis and this protozoan may be regarded as an intestinal pathogen, especially when other agents are eliminated.
Kaya
Selçuk
S
Süleyman Demirel Universitesi Tip Fakültesi, Mikrobiyoloji Anabilim Dali, Isparta, Turkey. selcuk@med.sdu.edu.tr
Cetin
Emel Sesli
ES
Aridoğan
Buket Cicioğlu
BC
Arikan
Salih
S
Demirci
Mustafa
M
D015746:Abdominal Pain; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016845:Blastocystis hominis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea; D005243:Feces / Q000166:cytology / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged
D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole