Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis
08:40

Chronic Salmonella Infection Induced Intestinal Fibrosis

Published on: September 22, 2019

Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and asymptomatic infection

Kenneth F Boorom1, Huw Smith, Laila Nimri

  • 1Blastocystis Research Foundation, 5060 SW Philomath Blvd, #202, Corvallis, OR 97333, USA. director@bhomcenter.org.

Parasites & Vectors
|October 22, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Blastocystis, a common gut microbe, causes varied symptoms like diarrhea and fatigue. Disagreements on its role in human disease highlight the need for better diagnostics and understanding of pathogenic variants.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Microbiology

Background:

  • Blastocystis is a widespread enteric protozoan infecting humans and animals.
  • Human Blastocystis infections present with diverse symptoms, including abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue.
  • Conflicting reports on Blastocystis's pathogenicity contribute to debates regarding its clinical significance and treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the reasons behind the disagreement on Blastocystis's role in human disease.
  • To discuss the impact of Blastocystis species diversity and diagnostic limitations on clinical interpretation.
  • To investigate the potential role of pathogenic Blastocystis variants and their link to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Blastocystis infections in humans.
  • Analysis of factors contributing to varied clinical presentations and diagnostic challenges.
  • Discussion of emerging research on pathogenic variants and host-pathogen interactions.

Main Results:

  • The diversity of Blastocystis species and limitations in current diagnostic methods contribute to conflicting clinical observations.
  • Specific pathogenic variants of Blastocystis may be responsible for symptomatic infections.
  • Protease-activated receptor-2 signaling is implicated in Blastocystis-associated abdominal pain and diffuse symptoms.

Conclusions:

  • Improved diagnostic techniques and a deeper understanding of Blastocystis species are crucial for resolving clinical disagreements.
  • Further research into pathogenic variants and their mechanisms, such as protease-activated receptor-2 pathways, is warranted.
  • Better diagnostics and treatments for Blastocystis could aid in managing chronic gastrointestinal disorders of unknown origin.

More Related Videos

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection09:12

A Protein Microarray Assay for Serological Determination of Antigen-specific Antibody Responses Following Clostridium difficile Infection

Published on: June 15, 2018

Related Concept Videos

Irritable Bowel Syndrome01:23

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

DefinitionIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional gastrointestinal disorder characterized by recurrent combinations of abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, or constipation.Pathophysiology of irritable bowel syndromeIts pathophysiology is multifactorial, involving disturbances in motility, sensory processing, microbial balance, barrier integrity, and gut–brain communication. These mechanisms interact to produce symptoms that vary across IBS subtypes.Altered Motility PatternsDisordered...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction01:17

Irritable Bowel Syndrome I: Introduction

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is characterized by functional disturbances in the gastrointestinal system, presenting a cluster of symptoms without evident structural or biochemical abnormalities. It primarily affects the large intestine and may cause abdominal pain, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, constipation, or both.
IBS is a chronic condition that can persist over a long period or recur frequently.
The pathogenesis of IBS involves a complex interplay of the following factors:
Altered...
Giardiasis01:12

Giardiasis

Giardiasis is a globally prevalent intestinal infection caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis (also known as G. lamblia or G. intestinalis). This flagellated protozoan is the most frequently identified intestinal parasite in the United States and worldwide. Transmission primarily occurs via the fecal-oral route, with infection arising from ingestion of water or food contaminated with cysts. Individuals in low-resource settings, international travelers, outdoor enthusiasts, daycare...
Amebiasis01:28

Amebiasis

Entamoeba histolytica, a protozoan parasite, is responsible for intestinal and extraintestinal amebiasis. Though a significant proportion of infections remain asymptomatic, approximately 50 million individuals annually are estimated to present with clinical disease, resulting in up to 100,000 deaths globally. The disease burden is disproportionately high in regions with lower socioeconomic status, such as parts of India, Africa, Mexico, and Latin America.Etiology and TransmissionThe infective...
Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation01:30

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation

Irritable Bowel Syndrome II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Evaluation
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is classified into subtypes based on the predominant bowel habits as determined by the Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS). The subtypes are:
Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction01:26

Inflammatory Bowel Disease I: Introduction

Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of chronic disorders marked by recurrent inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to an abnormal immune response against gut microflora. This leads to tissue damage. The two main forms are Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.Crohn’s DiseaseCrohn’s disease is a relapsing inflammatory disorder that can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It involves all layers of the bowel wall (transmural) and shows “skip lesions” in which...