Intestinal colonization of symptomatic and asymptomatic schoolchildren with Blastocystis hominis

J Clin Microbiol. 1994 Nov;32(11):2865-6. doi: 10.1128/jcm.32.11.2865-2866.1994.

Abstract

A study of single stool specimens was done to determine the prevalence of intestinal parasites among 1,000 primary school children. A questionnaire was completed by each child's parents. Specimens were examined by using wet-mount preparation, formaline-ether concentration, and Sheather's flotation technique. Trichrome and acid-fast stains were done. Blastocystis hominis was observed in 203 (20.3%) of the specimens examined, and 175 specimens contained this organism in the absence of other pathogenic parasites. Older children had fewer B. hominis infections (6 to 7 years old, 50% infection rate; 8 to 9 years, 27.5%; 10 to 12 years, 9.5%). The most common complaints reported by 75 children harboring the parasite were a mild recurrent diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, anorexia, and fatigue. Blastocystosis is quite common among schoolchildren. Contaminated drinking water is suspected to be the source of infection.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocystis hominis / isolation & purification*
  • Child
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intestines / parasitology*
  • Male