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[Blastocystis hominis and abdominal pain in childhood]
J Fleta Zaragozano1, A Clavel Parrilla, F J Castillo García
1Departamento de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Zaragoza.
Insights
Blastocystis hominis intestinal infections in children often cause abdominal pain, sometimes mimicking appendicitis. Most children recovered well, regardless of metronidazole treatment, indicating self-limiting infections.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
Context:
- Intestinal infections in children
- Blastocystis hominis as an enteropathogen
- Clinical presentation of pediatric parasitic infections
Purpose:
- To describe the clinical features of Blastocystis hominis infections in children.
- To evaluate the association between Blastocystis hominis and gastrointestinal symptoms.
- To assess the outcomes of treatment and non-treatment in affected children.
Summary:
- A study of 10 children (5-13 years) with Blastocystis hominis intestinal infections revealed significant clinical manifestations.
- Abdominal pain was the predominant symptom, observed in nine out of ten patients.
- In three cases, symptoms mimicked appendicitis, necessitating appendectomy. Co-infection with Giardia lamblia occurred in two cases.
- Most children, whether treated with metronidazole or not, experienced satisfactory recovery, suggesting a generally benign course.
Impact:
- Highlights the clinical significance of Blastocystis hominis in pediatric populations.
- Informs clinical decision-making regarding diagnosis and management of pediatric intestinal infections.
- Contributes to understanding the pathogenicity and clinical spectrum of Blastocystis hominis.
Abstract:
We report the clinical features observed in 10 children, ranging from 5 1/12 to 13 7/12 years of age, with intestinal infections caused by Blastocystis hominis. A parasitological study of the stools was made by using the ethyl-acetate formol concentration technique and a count of the number of B. hominis per field was performed. In 8 of the cases, no other enteropathogens (viruses, bacteria or other parasites) were found, whereas in 2 cases Giardia lamblia was also isolated. Nine out of ten of the patients presented with abdominal pain. In three of the cases it appeared as a pseudo-appendicular ailment which led to an appendectomy. Those children who were treated with metronidazole and those who were not treated with antibiotic recovered satisfactorily.