Blastocystis Hominis:  a Mysterious and Commonly Disregarded Parasite

Tasić, Nataša Miladinović; Milenković, Tatjana; Bujić, Vera; Zdravković, Dragan; Tasić, Aleksandar

doi:10.22190/fumb161027001t

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 66 publications

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“…The mean number of cysts detected in the infected subgroup treated by probiotics (Lactobacillus) (Tga) was 800 cysts with an SD of 28.39. The mean number of cysts detected in infected subgroup treated by combined metronidazole and probiotics (Lactobacillus) (Tgb) 520 cyst with SD= 18.4 As shown in Tables (1,2) and Figures (1). There was a decrease in mean parasitic count in all infected treated subgroups compared to positive infected non-treated control subgroup.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

2022

TJNPR

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Blastocystis is one of the most prevalent parasitic infections in humans, with a worldwide distribution. It is a tiny parasite that lives in the gastrointestinal tract. Probiotic bacteria have been found in the feces of some people who have diarrhea, stomach pain, or other gastrointestinal issues. Probiotic bacteria have proven to be effective in treating many digestive diseases, and they stimulate early immunity in children and improve immunity at all ages. The present study aimed to confirm the probiotic role in parasitic diseases, if any. To do so, Blastocystis hominis was used as a model to confirm probiotic effectiveness in parasitic infections. Children with recurrent diarrhoea had their stools sampled as part of an experimental study. After microscopic inspection of all stool samples for Blastocystis hominis and other parasites, isolated Blastocystis hominis was used to infect BALB/C mice. In experimentally infected mice, the effectiveness of metronidazole coupled with probiotics was compared to that of metronidazole alone and probiotics alone. Compared to the infected group treated with metronidazole and the infected group treated with probiotics, the mean number of cysts in the stools of infected mice significantly decreased in the metronidazole combination probiotics treatment group.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 93%

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

2022

TJNPR

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“…Secretory IgA, and serum IgA, and IgG levels in Blastocystis-positive people with and without symptoms were looked into by ELISA, and the data revealed that patients with symptoms had significantly higher IgA, and antibodies reactive to Blastocystis (Mahmoud and Saleh 2003). Furthermore, (Tasić et al 2017) reported that symptomatic cases have elevated IgG titers and IgA response is weak or absent in asymptomatic infections.…”

Section: Serodiagnosismentioning

confidence: 99%

Epizootiology of Blastocystis spp.: A Parasite with Zoonotic Concern

2023

IJAB

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Blastocystosis is an enteric infection caused by globally distributed unicellular Protista Blastocystis. Various animals' species as well as human can be parasitized by Blastocystis species. Due to the existence of genetic diversity between Blastocystis isolates in different hosts recently the organisms were defined as Blastocystis spp. or subtypes, although they are morphologically alike. About 34 valid subtypes have been reported in different hosts. Dissimilarity in Blastocystis genotypes have significant effect on their pathogenicity. The organism is poly morphic, and several distinct morphological forms have been observed including vacuolar, granular, cyst, and amebic forms. Blastocystis spp. are transmit through feco-oral rout via contaminated food and water. The risk for human infection might be higher in the existence of infected animals with Blastocystis, as well as in poor hygienic conditions. Although most of reported cases are asymptomatic, Blastocystis infection can associated with gastrointestinal disorders and appearance of nonspecific symptoms of nausea, abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea which might be self-limiting or severe. Blastocystosis also accompany with extra-intestinal urticaria signs such as palmoplantar pruritus. The organism also reported from cases of irritable bowel syndrome. Diagnosis of Blastocystis infection can be done conventionally based on the parasitological methods including microscopic examination of fecal smear. In vitro cultivation of fecal samples in supplemented medium was another detection method. The development of molecular techniques provides a sensitive, and rapid detection procedures for Blastocystis spp., also aid in genotypes differentiation. Metronidazole is the treatment of choice for Blastocystosis. Control measures include improvement in hygiene, and sanitation conditions, increased health awareness also essential in preventing enteric parasites.

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“…It is the most common parasite found in human stools, with prevalence rates as high as 50% in medium-to high-income countries and 100% in low-income countries (Stensvold et Blastocystis infection can manifest with various intestinal (diarrhoea, abdominal pain, atulence, nausea, and bloating) and extra-intestinal (hives, itching, and rashes) manifestations (El Safadi et al 2016; Tan et al 2008;Yakoob et al 2010). Furthermore, this infection has been associated with conditions such as appendicitis and peritonitis (Fréalle et al 2015), irritable bowel syndrome (Das et al 2016), and chronic in ammatory disease (Tasić et al 2017). Many investigations proved the presence of Blastocystis sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unveiling Blastocystis epidemiology in Morocco: subtype diversity among clinical patients with and without gastrointestinal manifestations in the Meknes region

Boutahar,

Belaouni,

Ibrahimi

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Blastocystis is an intestinal protist frequently identified in humans and other animals. Its clinical significance is still controversial. This study aims to determine the Blastocystis prevalence and genetic diversity in stool samples from symptomatic (n = 55) and asymptomatic (n= 50) individuals seeking medical care in Meknes, Morocco. Detection of the protist was accomplished by coproparasitological examination and culture in Jones medium. Culture-positive samples were subjected to molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) analyses based on sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the protist. Epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating patients. The overall Blastocystisinfection rate was 51.4% (54/105), with no differences between symptomatic (52.7%, 29/55) and asymptomatic (50.0%, 25/50) individuals. Sequence analyses identified three Blastocystissubtypes, being the most prevalent ST3 (42.0%), followed by ST1 (34.0%), and ST2 (12.0%). Regarding intra-subtype diversity, allele 4 was found within ST1, alleles 11 and 12 (alone or in combination) within ST2, and alleles 34 and 36 (alone or in combination) within ST3. ST3 allele 34 (40.8%) and ST1 allele 4 (34.7%) were the most common genetic variants circulating in the surveyed clinical population. A statistically significant association between ST2 and the presence of flatulence was observed. This is the first study assessing the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Meknes region, Morocco.

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Blastocystis Hominis: a Mysterious and Commonly Disregarded Parasite

Cited by 6 publications

References 66 publications

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

Experimental Trial of Probiotics as a Treatment for Blastocystis hominis in Mice

Epizootiology of Blastocystis spp.: A Parasite with Zoonotic Concern

Unveiling Blastocystis epidemiology in Morocco: subtype diversity among clinical patients with and without gastrointestinal manifestations in the Meknes region

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