Disease Information for Blastocystis hominis

A species of parasitic protozoa found in the intestines of humans and other primates; It was classified as a yeast in 1912; Over the years, questions arose about this designation; In 1967, many physiological and morphological B hominis characteristics were reported that fit a protozoan classification; Since that time, other papers have corroborated this work and the organism is now recognized as a protozoan parasite of humans causing intestinal disease with potentially disabling symptoms-----------------------------------------Blastocystis hominis Infection

Blastocystis hominis is a common microscopic parasitic organism found throughout the world; Infection with Blastocystis hominis is called blastocystosis ; Watery or loose stools, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anal itching, weight loss, and excess gas have all been reported in persons with Blastocystis infection; Many people have no symptoms at all; ?

Blastocystis can remain in the intestines for weeks, months, or years; It is hard to be sure, and experts disagree on this point; Whether or not B; hominis is the primary cause of your symptoms is unknown; Finding Blastocystis in stool samples should be followed up with a careful search for other possible causes of your symptoms; Symptoms may be caused by infection with other parasitic organisms, bacteria, or viruses; Often, B hominis is found along with other such organisms that are more likely to be the cause of your symptoms; Sometimes symptoms are not caused by an infection at all; Antibiotics, some cancer drugs, and medications used to control high blood pressure may be causing your symptoms; Hormone or endocrine diseases, diseases like Crohn’s, colitis, or hereditary factors may be the cause of illness; Food additives or food allergies may also be a cause of abdominal discomfort; common; in fact many people have Blastocystis, some without ever having symptoms; What should I do if I think I have blastocystosis?

See your health care provider who will ask you to provide stool samples for testing; Diagnosis may be difficult, so you may be asked to submit several stool samples;

Yes; drugs are available by prescription to treat blastocystosis; however, sometimes medication is not effective; How did I get blastocystosis?It’s hard to say; How Blastocystis is transmitted is unknown, although the number of people infected seems to increase in areas where sanitation and personal hygiene is inadequate;

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