Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients fulfilling irritable bowel syndrome criteria

Parasitol Res. 2010 Aug;107(3):679-84. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-1918-7. Epub 2010 Jun 8.

Abstract

Studies have suggested a possible role for Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in the etiology of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). We studied the prevalence of B. hominis and D. fragilis in patients with IBS-diarrhea (IBS-D). Three hundred and thirty patients were enrolled, 171 (52%) with IBS-D and 159 (48%) were controls, respectively. Stool microscopy, culture, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for B. hominis and D. fragilis were done. B. hominis was positive by stool microscopy in 49% (83/171) of IBS compared to 24% (27/159) in control (p < 0.001). B. hominis culture was positive in 53% (90/171) in IBS compared to 16% (25/159) in control (p < 0.001). B. hominis PCR was positive in 44% (75/171) in IBS compared to 21% (33/159) in control (p < 0.001). D. fragilis microscopy was positive in 3.5% (6/171) in IBS-D compared to 0.6% (1/159) in control (p = 0.123). D. fragilis culture was positive in 4% (7/171) in IBS compared to 1.3% (2/159) in control (p = 0.176). D. fragilis PCR was positive in 4% (6/171) in IBS-D compared to 0% (0/159) in control (p = 0.030). B. hominis is common, while D. fragilis was less prevalent in our patients with IBS-D. B. hominis and D. fragilis culture had a better yield compared to stool microscopy and PCR.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocystis Infections / diagnosis
  • Blastocystis Infections / epidemiology*
  • Blastocystis Infections / parasitology
  • Blastocystis hominis / genetics
  • Blastocystis hominis / isolation & purification*
  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification
  • Diarrhea / diagnosis
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology
  • Diarrhea / parasitology
  • Dientamoeba / classification
  • Dientamoeba / genetics
  • Dientamoeba / isolation & purification*
  • Dientamoebiasis / diagnosis
  • Dientamoebiasis / epidemiology*
  • Dientamoebiasis / parasitology
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / epidemiology*
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome / parasitology*
  • Prevalence

Substances

  • Culture Media
  • DNA, Protozoan