Irritable Bowel Syndrome Associated with Blastocystis hominis or Without Relationship to It? A Case–Control Study and Minireview

• Published in: Acta parasitologica Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 639 - 647
• Main Authors: Maghsood, Amir Hossein, Kayedimajd, Shaghayegh, Motavallihaghi, Seyedmousa, Abedian, Rohallah, Kordi, Shirafkan, Davoodi, Lotfollah, Faizi, Fariba, Soleymani, Eissa
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01.03.2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Addition polymerization; Adolescent; Adult; Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blastocystis hominis; Blastocystis hominis - genetics; Blastocystis hominis - isolation & purification; Blastocystis Infections - complications; Blastocystis Infections - epidemiology; Blastocystis Infections - parasitology; Case-Control Studies; Ecology; Feces - parasitology; Female; Formaldehyde; Genotypes; Humans; Intestine; Iran - epidemiology; Irritable bowel syndrome; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - epidemiology; Irritable Bowel Syndrome - parasitology; Male; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Middle Aged; Nucleotide sequence; Original Paper; Parasites; Parasitology; Pathogens; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Prevalence; Young Adult; Iran; Blastocystosis; Iran; Subtype; Irritable bowel syndrome; Blastocystis hominis
• ISSN: 1230-2821; 1896-1851; 1896-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00787-7

Background Blastocystis hominis ( B. hominis ) is a protozoan parasite that has a worldwide distribution. Some studies have suggested a link between B. hominis and the development of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. hominis in patients with IBS compared to healthy individuals. Material and methods A total of 65 stool samples from patients with IBS and 65 samples from healthy individuals in northern Iran were examined. The samples were tested using various methods including direct smear, formalin ether sedimentation and culture to detect the presence of B. hominis . Additionally, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on all culture-positive isolates to confirm the results and identify the genotype. Results B. hominis was detected in 15.38% of IBS patients and 9.2% of the healthy group. The culture in RPMI1640 was found to be better than the formalin ether and direct smear methods. Positive samples were confirmed using the molecular method. No significant difference was observed in the order of B. hominis infection between the two groups. Conclusions The results of our study indicate that no significant difference was observed in the order of B. hominis infection between IBS patients and healthy groups. Therefore, further study is necessary to determine the potential pathogenic effects of this parasite and its role in causing IBS.