What is blastocystis hominis?

4 May 2021

It is a parasitic protozoan that has the power to convert the human and animal digestive system into its habitat, normally without symptoms, but sometimes it can cause colic, intense diarrhea and flatulence, among other symptoms, which can lead to serious dehydration.

Transmission of Blastocystis hominis occurs through contact with fecal matter from infected people and animals, or by consuming contaminated water or food, causing the infectious disease called blastocystosis.

As there are several strains of this microorganism (which is why it is now called Blastocystis spp), it has not been identified if only some of them are harmful or if the disease only affects people with sensitivity to it.

Therefore, they are more vulnerable to its effects. In developing countries, it is estimated that more than 21% of the population has this parasite in their digestive tract.

Signs and symptoms Blastocystis hominis

Lack of appetite.
Decreased body weight.
Itching in the anus.
Tiredness.
Severe diarrhea.
Nausea.
Abdominal cramps.
Inflammation.
Excessive flatulence.

How to prevent blastocystosis:

Perform hand hygiene constantly.
Wash and disinfect fruits and vegetables before consuming them.
Disinfect your kitchen utensils and surfaces before preparing food.

Diagnosis and treatment Blastocystis hominis

Once your doctor analyzes your symptoms and clinical history, they will perform a physical examination and request various tests to determine if it is blastocystosis, since sharing symptoms with other gastrointestinal conditions makes it difficult to identify without diagnostic tests. Among the required tests are:

Blood test.
Stool ova and parasite examination.
Endoscopy.
Computed tomography.

When the diagnosis is established, the treatment plan will depend on the severity of your symptoms, being able to combine various medications to obtain a better therapeutic response, such as:

Antibiotics.
Antiparasitic.
Painkillers.
Anti-inflammatories.

At ABC Medical Center’s Internal Medicine Department, we offer health care services with the highest quality and safety, from the prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, and monitoring of infectious, respiratory, endocrinological, dermatological, rheumatic, nephrological, gastrointestinal, and hematological pathologies of both chronic-degenerative diseases and acute conditions, through a comprehensive and multidisciplinary model.

Related centers and departments Blastocystis hominis

Internal medicine
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

cun.es
medlineplus.gov
topdoctors.es
mayoclinic.org
msdmanuals.com
cun.es
medigraphic.com
Ramírez-Mayans JA, Ignorosa-Arellano KR, Rodríguez-Jurado R. Dolor abdominal crónico, infestación por Blastocystis hominis, esofagitis y gastroenteritis eosinofílica. Acta Pediatr Mex. 2018;39(6):361-367.
Vichido-Luna MA, Toro-Monjaraz EM, Montijo-Barrios E, et al. Blastocystis hominis un agente patógeno controversial en la génesis de enfermedades gastrointestinales y alérgicas. Alerg Asma Inmunol Pediatr. 2016;25(3):78-83.
Durán RCE. Blastocystis hominis actualmente: ¿controversia o realidad?. Acta Cient Estud. 2009;7(3):207-213.
Requena-Certad I, Devera R, Agreda Y, et al. Infección por Blastocystis hominis en pacientes pediátricos hospitalizados. Rev Biomed. 1999;10(4):199-208.

How can we help you?

The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.

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Comparison of COVID-19 vaccines

Pfizer-
BioNTech

Pfizer-BioNTech

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 95% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

No Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 16 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polysorbate.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 14 days of having the complete scheme (after the administration of the 2nd dose), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

Moderna

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vaccine type: mRNA
Effectiveness: 94.5% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 28 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

Who should or shouldn’t get the vaccine?
People who should receive the vaccine are those over 18 years old.
People who should not receive the vaccine are those who have a history of anaphylactic shock (severe allergy) or who are allergic to any component of this vaccine.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, muscle pain, chills, joint pain, fever, nausea, and swollen lymph nodes in the arm in which you received the injection.

Janssen/
Johnson
& Johnson

Janssen/ Johnson & Johnson

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 72.0% in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.
85% in the prevention of severe COVID-19.

Does not contain egg, latex, or preservatives./strong>

How many doses are needed?
Only one dose in needed.

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, chills, fever, and nausea.

How long will it take for me to be protected and what does it protect me from?
After 28 days of having the complete scheme (the last dose applied), the protection period is still under study. It protects us from 85% serious COVID-19 or requiring hospitalization.

AstraZeneca
and
Oxford
University

AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 82% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 56 days apart (or up to 84 days apart, if necessary).

What are the possible side effects of the vaccine?
Pain where the injection was given, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, and fever, which were mild to moderate in intensity and disappeared within 48 hours of vaccination.

Sputnik V

What is its effectiveness and what does it refer to?

Adenovirus vector-based vaccine.
Effectiveness: 92% after the second dose in the prevention of symptomatic COVID-19.

How many doses are needed?
Two doses are needed, at least 21 days apart (or up to six weeks apart, if necessary).

What is blastocystis hominis?

Signs and symptoms Blastocystis hominis

Diagnosis and treatment Blastocystis hominis

Related centers and departments Blastocystis hominis

Fuentes:

Index

Specialist in Blastocystis hominis