Blastocystis hominis may be a potential cause of intestinal disease

Scand J Infect Dis. 1991;23(3):389-90. doi: 10.3109/00365549109024329.

Abstract

Blastocystis hominis is a common inhabitant of the human bowel. It is now increasingly recognized as a potential cause of diarrhea. This article presents 12 cases of prolonged or recurrent diarrhea associated with B. hominis found in a large number. No other intestinal parasites were recognized. All patients responded to metronidazole. This report confirms that B. hominis may be a cause of intestinal disease.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Pain / parasitology
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Diarrhea / parasitology*
  • Eukaryota / classification
  • Eukaryota / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Metronidazole / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Protozoan Infections / parasitology
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • Metronidazole