Blastocystis hominis infection in long-term care facilities in Taiwan: prevalence and associated clinical factors.
Blastocystis hominis is probably the most common protozoan found in the human gut worldwide. In Taiwan, the prevalence of B. hominis infection is yet to be determined but is expected to be relatively higher among foreign workers. No data is available on the prevalence of B. hominis infection in long-term care facilities in Taiwan. This study included 713 subjects (552 residents and 161 care workers) from ten long-term care facilities in Taiwan who completed stool microscopic examinations with Merthiolate-iodine-formalin stain technique. The prevalence rate of blastocystosis was the highest among foreign and domestic care workers followed by residents (12.2%, 4.6%, and 2.7%, respectively). Older age (p = 0.04) and lower educational level (p = 0.008) were significantly associated with blastocystosis among care workers. Among residents, B. hominis infection was negatively associated with prolonged use of antibiotics within 3 months prior to examination (p = 0.05) and positively associated with tracheostomy in-place (p = 0.028). In conclusion, B. hominis infection was the most prevalent intestinal parasitic infection among both care workers and residents of long-term care facilities in Taiwan. Use of antibiotics was negatively associated with B. hominis infection among residents. Additionally, appropriate preventive measures should be implemented to older care workers with lesser educational attainment in order to reduce the risk of blastocystosis infection.
Su
Fu-Hsiung
FH
Department of Family Medicine, Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, Pan-Chiao, Taipei Hsien, Taiwan. williamsufh@gmail.com
Chu
Fang-Yeh
FY
Li
Chung-Yi
CY
Tang
Hui-Fei
HF
Lin
Yu-Shiang
YS
Peng
Yu-Ju
YJ
Su
Yih-Ming
YM
Lee
Shyh-Dye
SD
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016845:Blastocystis hominis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008134:Long-Term Care; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology; D014139:Tracheostomy / Q000009:adverse effects; D055815:Young Adult