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Clinical Features:
Whether Blastocystis hominis can cause symptomatic infection in humans is a point of active debate.
This is because of the common occurrence of the organism in both asymptomatic and symptomatic persons.
Those who believe symptoms could be related to infection with this parasite have described a spectrum of illness including watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, perianal pruritus, and excessive flatulence.
Laboratory
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis is based on finding the
cyst-like stage in feces. Permanently stained smears are preferred over wet mount
preparations because fecal debris may be mistaken for the organisms in the
latter. Do
not wash specimens in water (e.g., during concentration procedures) as this will lyse the
organisms, resulting in false-negatives.
Diagnostic findings
Treatment:
Despite the controversial clinical significance of this organism, metronidazole or iodoquinol has been reported to be effective.
See recommendations in The Medical Letter for complete information.
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