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[Role of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis spp. in Irritable Bowel Syndrome]

Ipek Mumcuoğlu1, Feride Alaca Coşkun, Neriman Aksu

  • 1Ankara Numune Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Tıbbi Mikrobiyoloji Kliniği, Ankara, Turkey. ipekmumcuoglu@hotmail.com

Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi
|August 20, 2013
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Blastocystis spp. infections were significantly more common in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients compared to healthy individuals. Eradicating Blastocystis spp. led to symptom improvement in most IBS patients, suggesting a potential link.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder with complex etiology.
  • The role of parasitic infections, such as Blastocystis spp. and Dientamoeba fragilis, in IBS pathogenesis is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in IBS patients.
  • To evaluate the potential association between these parasitic infections and IBS.
  • To assess the impact of parasite eradication on IBS symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • Stool specimens were collected from 55 IBS patients, 80 gastroenteritis patients (CG-1), and 50 healthy volunteers (CG-2).
  • Samples were analyzed using direct microscopy, trichrome staining, and culture methods.
  • Parasite eradication and subsequent symptom assessment were performed in a subset of patients.

Main Results:

  • Blastocystis spp. prevalence was significantly higher in IBS patients compared to healthy controls (CG-2), but not gastroenteritis patients (CG-1).
  • IBS patients showed a higher density of Blastocystis spp. (≥5 per field at X40).
  • Dientamoeba fragilis was not detected in any samples.
  • Following eradication, IBS symptoms resolved in 4 patients, improved in 11, and remained unchanged in 3.

Conclusions:

  • The absence of Dientamoeba fragilis may be due to regional low infection rates.
  • The significantly higher prevalence and density of Blastocystis spp. in IBS patients, coupled with symptom improvement after treatment, suggest a potential link between Blastocystis spp. and IBS.
  • Further research is warranted to elucidate the causal relationship.

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