Pathophysiology
There are conflicting views on whether Blastocystis plays a pathogenic role, possibly due to differences in subtypes, duration of infection, host genetic factors, or the number of infecting parasites [PMID:23972160].
Epidemiology
The prevalence of Blastocystis has been reported to range from 60% in tropical, subtropical, and developing countries to as low as 0.5% in Japan, highlighting significant geographical variation [PMID:23972160].
A molecular epidemiological study using Nested PCR-RFLP technique identified Blastocystis in 64 out of 450 stool samples collected between June 2022 and April 2024 [PMID:39880149].
Significant differences were observed in infection rates among individuals with varying educational attainment, marital status, and ABO blood types (p < 0.05) [PMID:39880149].
A significant association was found between ABO blood groups and the overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection (p = 0.019), though no significant association was observed between specific subtypes (ST1 and ST3) and blood groups [PMID:39880149].
In a study of 220 stool samples from villagers in Ayutthaya Province, Thailand, Blastocystis was detected in 5.9% of samples, with ST3 being the most prevalent subtype at 5.0% [PMID:27658597].
Sequences of Blastocystis-positive samples were closely related to those from animals such as pigs, cattle, and chickens, suggesting a zoonotic risk [PMID:27658597].
Clinical Presentation
Clinical features of Blastocystis infection include nausea, anorexia, abdominal pain, flatulence, and both acute and chronic diarrhea [PMID:23972160].
Key Recommendations
The study emphasizes the need for proper health education, particularly on personal hygiene, to mitigate parasitic infections like Blastocystis in these communities [PMID:27658597]. (Evidence: Expert opinion)
References
1 Bart A, Wentink-Bonnema EM, Gilis H, Verhaar N, Wassenaar CJ, van Vugt M et al.. Diagnosis and subtype analysis of Blastocystis sp. in 442 patients in a hospital setting in the Netherlands. BMC infectious diseases 2013. link 2 Karimi E, Momeni Z, Nasiri V, Sabokbar A. Genetic diversity and prevalence of Blastocystis subtypes in Alborz Province, Iran: A molecular epidemiological study. Acta tropica 2025. link 3 Palasuwan A, Palasuwan D, Mahittikorn A, Chiabchalard R, Combes V, Popruk S. Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis in Communities along the Chao Phraya River, Thailand. The Korean journal of parasitology 2016. link
3 papers cited of 10 indexed.