Blastocystosis in post-traumatic splenectomized patients

Area of Science:

• Medical Parasitology
• Gastroenterology
• Immunology

Background:

• Splenectomized patients face altered immune responses, increasing susceptibility to infections.
• Intestinal protozoa, particularly Blastocystis spp., are increasingly recognized as potential pathogens.
• Understanding protozoal infections in immunocompromised individuals is crucial for public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of intestinal protozoa, especially Blastocystis spp., in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.
• To conduct PCR-based subtype classification of Blastocystis spp.
• To investigate the role of Blastocystis spp. in gastrointestinal disorders in this cohort.

Main Methods:

• Stool samples from 30 splenectomized patients and 30 controls were analyzed.
• Microscopy (wet mount, trichrome, acid-fast stains) and PCR were employed for protozoa detection.
• Blastocystis hominis genotyping was performed using STS primers.

Main Results:

• Blastocystis spp. were the only protozoa detected; prevalence was higher in splenectomized patients (40% PCR positive) than controls (13% PCR positive).
• Blastocystis spp. infection showed a statistically significant difference between groups (p=0.020).
• Abdominal pain was the most frequent gastrointestinal symptom in Blastocystis spp.-positive splenectomized patients (p=0.019).

Conclusions:

• Blastocystis spp. are the most prevalent intestinal protozoa in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.
• Blastocystis spp. infection is significantly more common in splenectomized individuals compared to healthy controls.
• Blastocystis spp. may play a role in the pathogenesis of gastrointestinal disorders in post-traumatic splenectomized patients.