Frequency of Blastocystosis and Its Association with Clinical Symptoms in 2 Years of Surveillance at "Pedro Kourí" Institute

Lic Luis Enrique Jerez Puebla

doi:10.4172/2327-5073.1000178

Abstract

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common intestinal parasites diagnosed worldwide, but its pathogenic role is still regarded by some authors as controversial. The frequency of Blastocystis sp. was studied during a two year period of time and its association with some clinical symptoms. An observational descriptive study was carried out from January 2012 to December 2013. A total of 3140 stool samples were investigated for the presence of parasites by various parasitological techniques. Among 3140 analyzed stool samples the prevalence of Blastocystis infection observed was 3.54%, the fourth most prevalent. A total of 111 stool samples were positive for Blastocystis sp., and 71 samples showed co-infection with one or more other intestinal parasites. The group of 5 to 14 years age group showed a higher percentage of infections in the group of symptomatic persons than in asymptomatic ones and it was statistically significant, while in persons with ages more than 40 years the frequency of infection with this parasite was higher in asymptomatic persons. Blastocystis infection is one of the most frequent parasitic infections diagnosed in our setting. The relationship with symptomatology found in individuals infected with Blastocystis was significant and this association was higher in younger children.

Highlights

The intestinal parasitic infections still remain as one of the most prevalent infections worldwide, especially in developing countries, where sanitary and socioeconomic conditions may be less developed
Focus on symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals, regarding the infection pattern observed in the direct microscopic examination, we found that individuals in which Blastocystis and other intestinal pathogen was observed had a odds ratio 9 times higher to develop gastrointestinal symptoms, whereas, those only infected with that intestinal protozoan had 7 times more probability to have intestinal disturbances
This study reveals a low prevalence of Blastocystis infection among individuals seeking health care in "Pedro Kouri" Institute, it was the fourth most common parasite in frequency diagnosed

Summary

Introduction

The intestinal parasitic infections still remain as one of the most prevalent infections worldwide, especially in developing countries, where sanitary and socioeconomic conditions may be less developed. Belongs to the phylum Stramenopila, and is an unusual anaerobic, single-celled microorganism, considered as a remarkably successful intestinal protozoan of a vast array of host species including humans [2]. This is the only stramenopile living in the lower digestive tract of humans, and it lives in other mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects [2]. Human infection is associated with poor personal hygiene, lack of sanitation, exposure to animals, and consumption of contaminated food or water, prevalence can exceed 10% in developed countries [3]

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