Blastocystis - The Neglected Parasite

Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) has a worldwide distribution. Young children are more prone to get and transmit this faeco-oral infection. However, there is unawareness of the clinical significance of this parasite and consequently its diagnosis is not performed routinely in medical laboratories. Therefore, this study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of B. hominis among pre-school children in nurseries and its association with gastrointestinal symptoms. Furthermore, to evaluate the different staining techniques for its detection in stool specimens as well as to assess the efficacy of nitazoxanide in the treatment of the positive cases. A total of 300 children of both sexes aged 2-5 years in three nurseries in Shobra Elnamla village, Gharbeya Governorate, Egypt were included in this study. Each child was subjected to a clinical questionnaire, examination of stool samples using iodine, safranine methylene blue and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stains. Immunoflurescent antibody stain was applied on stool specimens of 30 cases only because of its high cost. Moreover, nitazoxanide was used for treatment of only 38 positive cases who accepted to receive treatment.