Presumptive evidence for Blastocystis hominis as a cause of colitis

Arch Intern Med. 1988 May;148(5):1064.

Abstract

A patient with persistent diarrhea was found to have biopsy-proved colitis with large numbers of the protozoan Blastocystis hominis present in stool. Extensive evaluation failed to reveal any other potential etiologic agent of acute colitis. Following treatment with a course of metronidazole, the patient became asymptomatic, B hominis was no longer present in stool, and results of a repeated biopsy were normal. These observations are consistent with the role of B hominis as a gastrointestinal pathogen.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colitis / parasitology*
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology*
  • Male
  • Protozoan Infections*