Safaa M Eassa, Hala S Ali, Sanaa A El Masry and Azza Hassan Abd El-Fattah
Background: It is not clear whether Blastocystis hominis simply resides in the digestive tract without causing harm or it plays an important role in immunocompromised persons.
Aim of the work: Is to determine the frequency of B. hominis infection among immunocompetent and immunocompromised children and to correlate some sociodemographic, hygienic and symptomatic factors with B. hominis infection.
Methods: 101 children were enrolled in this study. They are categorized into 2 groups immunocompromised leukemic cases and immunocompetent (controls). Their stool specimens were examined microscopically by oil immersion lens using trichrome stain.
Results: B. hominis was detected in 54.5% of immunocompromised and 67.4% of immunocompetent ones. Children aged 5<10 showed the highest prevalence in both groups. Children whose fathers are farmers and of rural areas showed also highest prevalence of B. hominis Although there was positive association with good environmental parameters in immunocompetents, there was negative association in immunocompromised. Such data deserve highlighted comments.
Conclusion: The data suggest that the isolation of B. hominis doesn’t necessitate treatment even in immunocompromised patients since its pathogenicity is debatable. Unless there is more convincing, evidence of pathogenicity efforts should be saved for remedying serious illness of vulnerable groups.
