Blastocystis hominis has become unique and an interesting pathogenic parasite and has been reported to contribute to irritable bowel syndrome. The parasite is highly pleomorphic and its diagnostic yield increases when more than one laboratory technique is used. Blastocystis hominis responds to metronidazole and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX). The prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in patients having irritable bowel syndrome is reported to be 43% in the present study. Blastocystis hominis was seen in 25%, 30%, 18.5% and 43% samples using wet mount, trichrome staining, formol ether sedimentation technique and culture in modified Jones' medium respectively. Vacuolar forms were the predominant forms. 87.34% patients did not show Blastocystis hominis in stool samples after treatment whereas 12.65% showed the presence of parasite. Hence, it becomes mandatory to examine stool specimen of patients having irritable bowel syndrome for early diagnosis and treatment of these patients will reduce morbidity.
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