International Journal of Tropical Medicine
ISSN: Online 1818-779XISSN: Print 1816-3319
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Abstract
Blastocystis hominis 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 Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) 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 B. hominis and formalin-ether concentration method for helminthes eggs and protozoan cysts. The most common parasite was B. hominis (<5 cells per field) (28.2%) followed by Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) 14.2%. A total of 109/1070 (10.2%) showed $5 B. hominis per field. The most common symptoms in children who showed only B. hominis were abdominal pain (49.4%), anorexia (35.8%) and nausea (33%). On the basis of our findings we recommend that B. hominis 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.
How to cite this article:
Daryani , N. Barmaki , G.H. Ettehad , M. Sharif , M.H. Dehghan , A. Nemati and H. Ziaei . A Cross-sectional Study of Blastocystis hominis in Primary Schoolchildren, Northwest Iran.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.36478/ijtmed.2006.53.57
URL: https://www.makhillpublications.co/view-article/1816-3319/ijtmed.2006.53.57