title: Blastocystosis in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and significance of intestinal protozoa, specially Blastocystis spp., and to perform PCR-based subtype classification for understanding the importance of Blastocystis spp. in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 60 stool samples were obtained from 30 post-traumatic splenectomized patients and 30 healthy controls. Wet mounts, trichrome and Kinyoun acid-fast stained slides were prepared from the stool specimens. PCR was used for detecting the presence of Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Cryptosporidium spp., Blastocystis spp. Genotyping was realized by using Blastocystis hominis STS primers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both study groups, any helminth eggs and other protozoa except Blastocystis spp. were not detected by microscopy and PCR, and also bacterial cultures were negative. Only stool microscopy was positive for Blastocystis spp. in 30% (9 of 30) of splenectomized patients and in 13% (4/30) of healthy controls. PCR for Blastocystis spp. was positive in 40% (12 of 30), B. hominis genotypes were 20% (6/30): STS1 in 10% (3/30) and STS3 in 10% (3/30) of splenectomized patients. In healthy controls Blastocystis spp. was 13% (4/30) by PCR and genotypes of B. hominis was not detected. The difference between the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. infection in splenectomized patients and control groups was statistically significant (p=0.020). Abdominal pain was the most frequent gastrointestinal symptom (p=0.019) among splenectomized patients positive for Blastocystis spp.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In post-traumatic healthy splenectomized patients, Blastocystis spp. were found to be the most prevalent protozoa and may be responsible for the gastrointestinal disorders.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Djursun
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Karasartova
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
authors.forename: A Semra
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Gureser
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Musa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zorlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey.
authors.forename: Buse
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Turegun-Atasoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey. Electronic address: aysegultaylanozkan@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Aysegul
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taylan-Ozkan
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mete
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dolapci
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000235:genetics; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D013156:Splenectomy; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology; D014947:Wounds and Injuries; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Blastocystis hominis genotypes; Blastocystis spp.; Post-traumatic splenectomized patients