@article{MAKHILLIJTM20061219680,
    title = {A Cross-sectional Study of <I>Blastocystis hominis </I>in Primary Schoolchildren, Northwest Iran},
    journal = {International Journal of Tropical Medicine},
    volume = {1},
    number = {2},
    pages = {53-57},
    year = {2006},
    issn = {1816-3319},
    doi = {ijtmed.2006.53.57},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1816-3319&doi=ijtmed.2006.53.57},
    author = {Daryani,N. Barmaki,G.H. Ettehad,M. Sharif,M.H. Dehghan,A. Nemati and},
    keywords = {Blastocystis hominis,schoolchildren,Iran,protozoam parasite},
    abstract = {<I>Blastocystis hominis </I>is a protozoan parasite whose importance as a cause of gastrointestinal
pathology is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of <I>Blastocystis hominis
(B. homini</I>s) and the presence of symptoms among primary schoolchildren. This cross-sectional study was
conducted in 1070 schoolchildren between 7-13 years old in northwest Iran, 2003. A questionnaire was
completed for each child. Stool specimens were collected by stratified random sampling and were examined
using direct wet mount for presence of <I>B. hominis </I>and formalin-ether concentration method for helminthes
eggs and protozoan cysts. The most common parasite was <I>B. hominis </I>(&lt;5 cells per field) (28.2%) followed by
<I>Giardia lamblia (G. lambli</I>a) 14.2%. A total of 109/1070 (10.2%) showed $5 <I>B. hominis </I>per field. The most
common symptoms in children who showed only <I>B. hominis </I>were abdominal pain (49.4%), anorexia (35.8%) and nausea (33%). On the basis of our findings we recommend that <I>B. hominis </I>be considered as a potential
pathogen in symptomatic people, especially children when the number of organisms in a stool specimen
exceeds five organisms per field. Awareness on the part of clinicians and laboratory technicians is essential for
proper diagnosis and treatment of cases.}
    }