title: [Blastocystis--an enigmatic parasite].
abstract: Blastocystis can be isolated from roughly 25% of patients suspected of intestinal parasitosis. At least ten subtypes (STs) have been isolated from humans and animals, and recent data demonstrate that the pathogenicity of the parasite is subtype-dependent. For instance, ST1 and ST7 are more prevalent among patients with symptoms than healthy individuals, whereas ST3 predominates among healthy carriers. The article sums up basic aspects of the parasite and gives an introduction to new data and points of criticism of previous studies seeking to unravel the pathogenicity of the parasite.
authors.affiliation: Afdeling for Bakteriologi, Mykologi og Parasitologi, Statens Serum Institut, DK-2300 København S. run@ssi.dk
authors.forename: Christen Rune
authors.initials: CR
authors.lastname: Stensvold
authors.forename: Maiken Cavling
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Arendrup
authors.forename: Henrik Vedel
authors.initials: HV
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Kåre
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mølbak
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000469:parasitology*; D016845:Blastocystis hominis / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002353:Carrier State / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D008795:Metronidazole / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000981:Antiprotozoal Agents; D008795:Metronidazole