Blastocystis hominis

Description

Blastocystis is a microscopic parasite that can live in your digestive tract. The researchers do not fully understand the role of blastocystis plays, if any, in the cause of the disease. Some people experience diarrhea, abdominal pain or other gastrointestinal problems have blastocystis organisms in their feces.

More commonly, however, blastocystis organisms simply live in a person's digestive tract without causing damage.

Blastocystis may be transmitted through food or water or by contact with human or animal feces. Blastocystis infection is usually more common among people who live in or travel to developing countries and among people who work with animals.

Blastocystis in humans was once identified as a single species, Blastocystis hominis. Researchers have found several variations of any of the different species or different strains within a species. The scientific name used today is Blastocystis spp, an abbreviation that means "several species". An infection by blastocystis is called blastocystosis.

Symptoms

The signs and symptoms possibly associated with blastocystis include:

  • Watery diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Abdominal Pain
  • Swelling
  • The excess of gas
  • Loss of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • Anal Itching
  • Fatigue

When to see a doctor

Consult your doctor if you have signs and symptoms, such as diarrhea or abdominal pain, which lasts for more than three days.

Causes

Blastocystis is a microscopic single-celled organism (protozoan). Many protozoan parasites normally live in the digestive tract and are harmless or even useful; others the cause of the disease.

It is not clear whether blastocystis causes of the disease. The majority of people who carry the organism does not have signs or symptoms, but are also found in people who have diarrhea and other digestive problems.

The explanations for this variability are:

  • Some types of blastocystis may be more likely to cause disease than others.
  • Some people may be more vulnerable to infection by blastocystis.
  • The disease can be caused by other microorganisms that coexist with Blastocystis.

Blastocystis can be passed between people and from animals to people. The transmission can be:

  • Contaminated food or water
  • Exposure to human or animal feces

Risk factors

Blastocystis is common, but may have a higher risk of exposure if:

  • Work with animals
  • They are exposed to human feces in the work, such as the children of the nursery
  • Travel to a country with poor sanitation of water

Complications

If you have diarrhea that is associated with blastocystis, is likely to be self-limiting. However, at any time, you have diarrhea, you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals, which can lead to dehydration. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration.

Prevention

The best practice for the prevention of infection by blastocystis is the practice of good hygiene:

  • Wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them
  • Keep cooking surfaces clean
  • Wash your hands frequently

Tips of washing hands

Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. When you can't use soap and water, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Wash your hands often, especially:

  • Before, during and after the preparation of the food
  • After using the toilet
  • After changing a diaper or helping a child use the toilet
  • After helping a person who is sick with vomiting or diarrhea
  • After touching animals or handling food of animal origin or stool
  • After handling garbage
  • Before and after of cleaning a cut or wound

Travel tips

When you travel, you can take steps to reduce their risk of exposure to blastocystis. A general guideline is to avoid the consumption of what you can't boil, cook or peel. More specifically, avoid:

  • Food from street vendors
  • Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, including ice cream
  • Raw or undercooked meat, fish, shellfish, or eggs
  • The food at room temperature, such as sauces and offers buffet
  • The fresh vegetables; foods that can't be peeled, such as berries, fruits or vegetables that you did not peel yourself
  • Frozen pops, and flavored ice
  • Dishes or condiment made with fruits or vegetables

Drinking water tips

If you're visiting a country with poor sanitation or possible contamination of drinking water, use the following tips:

  • Avoid sterilize tap water, well or stream.
  • If you need to use to sterilize water for drinking or washing food, boil water for at least three minutes and leave to cool.
  • The use of a chemical purifier for the water — usually a combination of chlorine and iodine, which is often available at a sporting goods store.
  • Avoid ice cubes or drinks made with tap water.
  • Keep your mouth closed while you shower.
  • Use bottled water to brush your teeth.
  • Be sure to hot drinks, such as coffee or tea, are very hot.
  • Drink bottled beverages of the original, unopened containers after cleaning them.

Blastocystis hominis

Diagnosis

If you have diarrhea and other related symptoms, the cause can be difficult to diagnose. Even if blastocystis is found in the stool, may not be the cause of your symptoms. Often, another food-or water-borne organism that is the likely cause of the disease.

Your doctor will take your medical history, ask about the recent activities, such as traveling, and perform a physical examination. A series of laboratory tests to help diagnose parasitic diseases and other non-infectious causes of gastrointestinal symptoms:

  • Fecal (stool) exam. This test looks for parasites. Your doctor can give you a container with a liquid preservative to their stool sample. Refrigerate — do not freeze — your samples until we bring them to your doctor's office or lab.
  • Endoscopy. If you have any symptoms, but the fecal examination does not reveal the cause, your doctor may order this test. When you're under sedation, a special camera in a tube that is used for the examination of your digestive tract.
  • Blood tests. A blood test that can detect blastocystis is available, but not commonly used. However, your doctor may order blood tests to look for other causes of your signs and symptoms.

Treatment

If you have an infection by blastocystis without signs or symptoms, then you do not need treatment. Mild signs and symptoms may improve on their own within a couple of days.

Potential of medications to eliminate an infection by blastocystis and the improvement of the symptoms include:

  • Antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl) or tinidazole (Tindamax)
  • The combination of drugs such as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, others)
  • Anti-protozoan drugs, such as paromomycin or nitazoxanide (Alinia)

The answers to these drugs vary greatly. Also, because the agency may not be the cause of your symptoms, the improvement may be due to the effect of the drug on other body.

Preparing for your appointment

It is likely that you see your primary care physician. However, in some cases, you may be referred to someone who specializes in infectious diseases or disorders of the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

Here's some information to help you prepare for your appointment.

What you can do

Be aware of pre-appointment restrictions. When you make the appointment, ask if there is something that you need to do in advance, such as restrict your diet.

Make a list of:

  • Their symptoms, and when they began
  • Key personal information, including any major stresses or recent life changes and if you have recently traveled to a developing country
  • All medications, vitamins or supplements that you are taking, including dose
  • Questions to ask your doctor

Questions to ask your doctor include:

  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
  • There are other possible causes?
  • What tests do I need?
  • What treatments are available, and what you recommend for me?
  • Should I change my diet?
  • Are there brochures or other printed material that I can take my house? What sites do you recommend?

Do not hesitate to ask other questions.

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, including:

  • Do you have symptoms all the time, or come and go?
  • How severe are the symptoms?
  • Nothing seems to improve the symptoms?
  • What, if anything, appears to worsen your symptoms?
  • Do you have any other health conditions?

What you can do in the meantime

If your symptoms are related to blastocystis, is more likely to go away on its own even before you consult with your doctor. Stay well hydrated. The Oral rehydration solution — available through pharmacies and health agencies around the world — you can replace the loss of fluids and electrolytes.

Symptoms and treatment of Blastocystis hominis