Syeda Sadaf Haider, Rakhshanda Baqai.
Detection of Blastocystis hominis in Humans and Poultry.
Infect Dis J Jan ;17(2):43-7.

Background: Blastocystis hominis, previously only considered a commensal, is now also being reported as a causative agent of zoonotic infection and diarrhea in humans. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. hominis infection in poultry and humans in different age and sex groups and its seasonal pattern. Methods: Two hundred and thirty fecal samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal symptoms and their clinical histories were recorded. Direct microscopy and formol ether concentration method was used. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected by Kinyoun method. Bacteriological study was done by inoculating fecal samples on appropriate media. Identification was done by gram staining, standard biochemical methods and Quick test strip (QTS). Blood samples were also collected for hematological tests. One hundred and fifty poultry fecal samples were collected from Poultry Research Institute and examined by direct microscopy. Result: Results indicate that out of 230 faecal samples from patients, parasites were detected in 161 (70 %) of cases. B. hominis was present in 31 % followed by Entamoeba histolytica (18 %), Cryptosporidium spp. (16 %), Giardia lamblia (9 %), Ascaris lumbricoides (6 %), Hymenolepis nana (1 %). B. hominis cases were found to be more in April and September and more cases were detected from Malir area. Infection with B. hominis was found to be more in females between 0 - 19 years of age and more commonly in children. B. hominis infection as a single pathogen was found in 60 %, and 40 % in combination with one or more pathogens. The most predominant symptom was abdominal pain (24 %) followed by diarrhea (22 %), constipation (21 %), fever (18 %) and vomiting (15 %). No bacterial pathogen was found in combination with B. hominis. Higher eosinophil count was observed in patients positive for blastocystosis. Out of 150 poultry faecal samples, 40 (27 %) were positive for B. hominis. Conclusions: This study indicates that B. hominis can be a causative agent of zoonotic disease. It was found to be a causative agent of diarrheal disease in humans either alone or in combination with other parasites.

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