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Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients fulfilling irritable bowel syndrome criteria
Parasitology Research
  • Javed Yakoob, Aga Khan University
  • Wasim Jafri, Aga Khan University
  • Mohammad Asim Beg, Aga Khan University
  • Shagufta Naz, Aga Khan University
  • Muhammad Islam, Aga Khan University
  • Rustam Khan, Aga Khan University
Publication Date
8-1-2010
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
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.

Citation Information
Javed Yakoob, Wasim Jafri, Mohammad Asim Beg, Shagufta Naz, et al.. "Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients fulfilling irritable bowel syndrome criteria" Parasitology Research Vol. 107 Iss. 3 (2010) p. 679 - 684
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/javedyakoob/17/