Blastocystis hominis infection
Definition:
Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a microscopic parasite sometimes found in the stools of healthy people as well as in the stools of those who have diarrhea, abdominal pain or other gastrointestinal problems. Infection with B. hominis is called blastocystosis.
Researchers don't yet fully understand the role that B. hominis plays in causing an infection. Certain subtypes of this parasite may be more likely to cause infection, or may pose a risk only when combined with other types of infection. In some cases, the parasite simply resides in the digestive tract without causing harm.
There are no proven treatments for Blastocystis, and the infection usually clears up on its own. However, if signs and symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend trying medications.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms that might be associated with blastocystis include:
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms associated with blastocystis, such as diarrhea, cramps and fatigue that last longer than three days.
Causes:
Once thought to be a harmless yeast, B. hominis is a parasite, a microscopic single-celled organism (protozoan). It behaves like a tiny animal — hunting and gathering other microbes for food. Many protozoa inhabit your gastrointestinal tract and are harmless; others cause disease.
Whether B. hominis is the type of protozoa that causes disease is controversial. While many people who carry B. hominis have no signs or symptoms, others have diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Because B. hominis often appears with other organisms, experts aren't sure whether B. hominis causes disease on its own.
It's possible that some people are susceptible to illness caused by B. hominis infection, while others carry the parasite without signs or symptoms.
Many types of protozoa get into the intestinal tract through oral-fecal contact, such as occurs when a person doesn't wash his or her hands thoroughly after using the toilet before preparing food. No one knows for certain how B. hominis is transmitted, but experts suspect it's through oral-fecal contact. Experts do know that the incidence of infection associated with B. hominis increases in places with inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene.
Complications:
If you have diarrhea associated with B. hominis, it's likely to be self-limiting. However, anytime you have diarrhea, you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals, which can lead to dehydration. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration.
Treatments and drugs:
If you have blastocystis without signs or symptoms, then you don't need treatment. Mild signs and symptoms may improve on their own within a few days.
Potential medications for treating blastocystis include the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl), the combination medication sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, others), and the antiprotozoal medication iodoquinol (Yodoxin, others). However, keep in mind that response to medication for B. hominis infection varies greatly from person to person. And, because the symptoms you're having might be unrelated to blastocystis, it's also possible that any improvement may be due to the medication's effect on another organism.
Definition:
Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a microscopic parasite sometimes found in the stools of healthy people as well as in the stools of those who have diarrhea, abdominal pain or other gastrointestinal problems. Infection with B. hominis is called blastocystosis.
Researchers don't yet fully understand the role that B. hominis plays in causing an infection. Certain subtypes of this parasite may be more likely to cause infection, or may pose a risk only when combined with other types of infection. In some cases, the parasite simply resides in the digestive tract without causing harm.
There are no proven treatments for Blastocystis, and the infection usually clears up on its own. However, if signs and symptoms don't improve, your doctor may recommend trying medications.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms that might be associated with blastocystis include:
- Diarrhea
- Nausea
- Abdominal cramps
- Bloating
- Excessive gas (flatulence)
- Anal itching
- Fatigue
See your doctor if you have signs and symptoms associated with blastocystis, such as diarrhea, cramps and fatigue that last longer than three days.
Causes:
Once thought to be a harmless yeast, B. hominis is a parasite, a microscopic single-celled organism (protozoan). It behaves like a tiny animal — hunting and gathering other microbes for food. Many protozoa inhabit your gastrointestinal tract and are harmless; others cause disease.
Whether B. hominis is the type of protozoa that causes disease is controversial. While many people who carry B. hominis have no signs or symptoms, others have diarrhea and other gastrointestinal problems. Because B. hominis often appears with other organisms, experts aren't sure whether B. hominis causes disease on its own.
It's possible that some people are susceptible to illness caused by B. hominis infection, while others carry the parasite without signs or symptoms.
Many types of protozoa get into the intestinal tract through oral-fecal contact, such as occurs when a person doesn't wash his or her hands thoroughly after using the toilet before preparing food. No one knows for certain how B. hominis is transmitted, but experts suspect it's through oral-fecal contact. Experts do know that the incidence of infection associated with B. hominis increases in places with inadequate sanitation and poor personal hygiene.
Complications:
If you have diarrhea associated with B. hominis, it's likely to be self-limiting. However, anytime you have diarrhea, you lose vital fluids, salts and minerals, which can lead to dehydration. Children are especially vulnerable to dehydration.
Treatments and drugs:
If you have blastocystis without signs or symptoms, then you don't need treatment. Mild signs and symptoms may improve on their own within a few days.
Potential medications for treating blastocystis include the antibiotic metronidazole (Flagyl), the combination medication sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim (Bactrim, Septra, others), and the antiprotozoal medication iodoquinol (Yodoxin, others). However, keep in mind that response to medication for B. hominis infection varies greatly from person to person. And, because the symptoms you're having might be unrelated to blastocystis, it's also possible that any improvement may be due to the medication's effect on another organism.
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