Blastocystis hominis is a common parasitic infection that can cause a variety of symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence. It is transmitted through contaminated water or fecal matter and can be diagnosed through a stool sample. There are no effective treatments, but the infection often clears up on its own.
Blastocystis hominis is a unicellular gastrointestinal protozoan. These parasites belong to the same group of organisms as algae and mold. Blastocystosis is an infection of blastocystis hominis. Blastocystosis is a common condition, with as many as 10% of the population in developed countries carrying the parasite. In other areas of the world, particularly those with inadequate sanitation, up to 50 percent are infected.
The organism causes a wide variety of symptoms that are often misdiagnosed as other diseases. Symptoms of blastocystosis include diarrhea, nausea, and flatulence. Depending on the degree of infection, abdominal cramps, swelling and anal itching may also occur. Infection doesn’t always cause symptoms, and many people with blastocystosis are asymptomatic or take years to show symptoms. Blastocystis hominis are often found in patients diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome.
Transmission of blastocystis hominis occurs by ingestion of faecal material contaminated by the parasite. The most common means of transmission is raw water. The parasite has been found in pools, wells, and natural streams prone to septic runoff. Personal hygiene also plays a role and regular hand washing is recommended to prevent infection. Other routes of transmission may be possible, but none have been conclusively proven.
It is not known whether the parasite is transferred from animals to humans. Studies show that the infection occurs more often in patients who have been exposed to animals, including farm animals, wild animals, and pets. This evidence may be anecdotal, however, as most people in undeveloped countries have contact with animals. Transmission between people is rare, even between married couples.
Blastocystosis is diagnosed by a microscopic examination of a stool sample. Blastocystis hominis lives in the intestine and is excreted in the feces. The parasite may not appear in every stool sample from an infected person, so it may take several successive stool samples to determine blastocystosis. Other tests, such as MRIs or blood tests, may be done to rule out other causes or determine the impact of the infection.
There are no effective treatments for blastocystosis. The infection often clears up on its own in a short time without complications. Various drugs, such as the antibiotic metrodidazole and the antiprotozoal iodoquinol, have been used with varying degrees of success. It is not known whether the drugs, when successful, are actually treating an underlying condition rather than eliminating blastocystis hominis.
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