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Clinical report of Blastocystis hominis infection in children
Insights
Blastocystis hominis, an intestinal parasite, was found in 2% of children. High numbers correlated with gastrointestinal symptoms, suggesting it may be an enteropathogen in some pediatric cases.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite.
- Its role as a human enteropathogen remains debated, particularly in children.
- Understanding its clinical significance is crucial for effective treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis in children.
- To assess the association between B. hominis infection and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To evaluate the clinical outcomes following treatment.
Main Methods:
- A 9-month hospital-based survey of fecal specimens from children under 13.
- Microscopic examination for Blastocystis hominis detection.
- Clinical data collection on gastrointestinal symptoms and treatment response.
Main Results:
- Blastocystis hominis was detected in 2% (39/1960) of children.
- 32 children with B. hominis showed acute, subacute, or chronic gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Symptoms resolved in most cases after metronidazole treatment or spontaneously.
Conclusions:
- Blastocystis hominis infection is associated with gastrointestinal symptoms in some children.
- The parasite may act as an enteropathogen in this population.
- Further case-control studies are needed to confirm its pathogenic role.
Abstract:
During a 9-month hospital-based survey, the intestinal parasite Blastocystis hominis was detected in high numbers (five or more organisms per oil immersion field) in faecal specimens from 39 (2%) of 1960 children under 13 years old. Abdominal pain or discomfort with or without diarrhoea was present in 32 children categorized as acute (14), subacute (7) or chronic (11) cases with respective mean ages of 6.4, 7.3 and 8.7 years. They included three with other enteropathogens (Giardia lamblia, Cryptosporidium sp. or Hymenolepis nana). The remaining seven children had no gastrointestinal symptoms. The 14 acute cases (symptoms duration 1-11 days) were characterized by cramp-like abdominal pain, watery diarrhoea and vomiting. The seven subacute (3-4 weeks) and 11 chronic (3-12 months) cases presented with abdominal discomfort and/or loose non-watery stools. Four complained of flatus and eosinophilia was noted in six. All symptoms resolved with eradication of B. hominis or reduction to low numbers after metronidazole chemotherapy (28 cases) or with no treatment (four cases). This study would appear to support the role of the parasite as an enteropathogen in some children. A case control study is clearly needed to clarify the status of B. hominis as a pathogen.