Are We Neglecting Blastocystis Hominis in Patients Having Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Abstract

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.

Blastocystis Spp. Infection Among Ibs Patients: Various Diagnostic Methods and Epidemiological Study

“…was the most common detectable form. This result agreed with Mehta et al, (2015) and Darabian et al, (2016). This result could be explained by the fact that vacuolar form of Blastocystis spp.…”

In vitro susceptibility of human Blastocystis subtypes to simeprevir

“…The vacuolar form was the most commonly detectable form followed by the granular form. These results are in agreement with Souppart et al, 2009 , Mehta et al, 2015 , Darabian et al, 2016 . Granular form persisted after MTZ drug testing because, as reported, MTZ induces apoptosis, where granular formation is a self-regulatory mechanism of Blastocystis during apoptosis to produce high number of viable cells ( Dhurga et al, 2016 ).…”

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Alcoholics

“…There is a strong correlation between prevalence of Blastocystis hominis and presence of irritable bowel syndrome. (36) Also, Blastocystis hominis is associated with malabsorption syndrome (37) which can lead to increase in morbidity of alcoholics. Though the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in alcoholics was 1.3% which was not statistically different from non-alcoholics.…”