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Blastocystis hominis is a single-celled eukaryotic organism that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans and various animals. [1] This stramenopile exhibits significant genetic diversity and has become an organism of increasing scientific interest due to its widespread distribution and controversial role in human health. [ 2 ]
Researchers have published conflicting reports concerning whether Blastocystis causes symptoms in humans, with one of the earliest reports in 1916. [2] The incidence of reports associated with symptoms began to increase in 1984, [3] with physicians from Saudi Arabia reporting symptoms in humans [4] and US physicians reporting symptoms in individuals with travel to less developed countries. [5]
In the early 2000s, Egyptian physicians identified 84 patients with diarrhea and enteritis apparently caused by Blastocystis hominis. After three days of nitazoxanide treatment, symptoms cleared and no fecal organisms were detectable in 36 (86%) of 42 treated patients and in 16 (38%) of 42 people who received placebo (P < .0001).
These symptoms negatively impact nutritional status, including decreased absorption of micronutrients, loss of appetite, weight loss, and intestinal blood loss that can often result in anemia. It may also cause physical and mental disabilities, delayed growth in children, and skin irritation around the anus and vulva.
Blastocystis is a single-celled protozoan which infects the large intestine. Physicians report that patients with infection show symptoms of abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhea. [54] [55] [56] One study found that 43% of IBS patients were infected with Blastocystis versus 7% of controls. [49]
Endolimax is a genus of amoebozoa [1] that are found in the intestines of various animals, including the species E. nana found in humans. Originally thought to be non-pathogenic, studies suggest it can cause intermittent or chronic diarrhea.
Frostbite in dogs is a serious condition. It occurs when the skin and underlying tissues are exposed to freezing or extremely cold temperatures for a prolonged period of time.
The symptoms of blastomycosis cover a wide range, overlapping with more common conditions; for this reason, blastomycosis has often been called "the great pretender". [8] Many cases are asymptomatic or subclinical. Lung symptoms are common, because the lungs are infected in 79% of blastomycosis cases. [8]