Abstract
Intestinal opportunistic infections are often caused by unicellular parasites. Individuals with decreased immunity are particularly susceptible to infection by said microorganisms, and when they are infected, diarrhea can be the main clinical manifestation. However, intestinal parasites have rarely been taken into account in intestinal disorders. In our study, an investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal micro-pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Blastocystis, and microsporidia, in hospitalized patients with different immunological statuses. The study at hand indicates that protozoan parasitic infections are rare among immunodeficient patients in Poland. The overall prevalence of micro-pathogens among participants was 4.6%; it was three times higher in adults (12.5%) than in children (2.3%). Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora species (Apicomplexa) were diagnosed as the main cause of heavy diarrhea. Accordingly, adult patients were positive mainly for Blastocystis and microsporidia, while children were more often infected with the Cryptosporidium species.
Highlights
Intestinal opportunistic infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, or unicellular parasites
Three transplant recipients who were minors tested positive for E. coli bacteria strains which were closely related to enteroinvasive strains (99% homology) (Table 2)
The patients were infected with different Cryptosporidium species (1.4%, n = 4), Giardia intestinalis (0.7%, n = 2), C. cayetanensis (0.7%, n = 2), B. hominis (1%, n = 3), and presented with microsporidian invasion (n = 4)
Summary
Intestinal opportunistic infections are caused by viruses, bacteria, or unicellular parasites. Diarrhea is ordinarily chronic and prolonged in the Section Editor: Kevin S.W. Tan. Other opportunistic parasite species, such as microsporidia, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora, and Blastocystis, may be Parasitol Res (2018) 117:2869–2879 associated with gastrointestinal diseases. Other opportunistic parasite species, such as microsporidia, Cyclospora, Cystoisospora, and Blastocystis, may be Parasitol Res (2018) 117:2869–2879 associated with gastrointestinal diseases It is currently unclear whether Blastocystis is a pathogen, a commensal, or an opportunistic organism. In favorable conditions, it causes intestinal disorders, but the infection may be either self-limiting or asymptomatic (Tan 2004; Scanlan and Stensvold 2013)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
