Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and asymptomatic infection

K.F. Boorom; H. Smith; L. Nimri; E. Viscogliosi; G. Spanakos; U. Parkar; L-H Li; X-N Zhou; Ü.Z. Ok; S. Leelayoova; M.S. Jones

doi:10.1186/1756-3305-1-40

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Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and asymptomatic infection

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and asymptomatic infection

K.F. Boorom, H. Smith, L. Nimri, E. Viscogliosi, G. Spanakos, U. Parkar, L-H Li, X-N Zhou, Ü.Z. Ok, S. Leelayoova, …

Parasites & Vectors, Vol.1(1)

2008

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1756-3305-1-40

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Abstract

Blastocystis is a prevalent enteric protozoan that infects a variety of vertebrates. Infection with Blastocystis in humans has been associated with abdominal pain, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, skin rash, and other symptoms. Researchers using different methods and examining different patient groups have reported asymptomatic infection, acute symptomatic infection, and chronic symptomatic infection. The variation in accounts has lead to disagreements concerning the role of Blastocystis in human disease, and the importance of treating it. A better understanding of the number of species of Blastocystis that can infect humans, along with realization of the limitations of the existing clinical laboratory diagnostic techniques may account for much of the disagreement. The possibility that disagreement was caused by the emergence of particular pathogenic variants of Blastocystis is discussed, along with the potential role of Blastocystis infection in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Findings are discussed concerning the role of protease-activated receptor-2 in enteric disease which may account for the presence of abdominal pain and diffuse symptoms in Blastocystis infection, even in the absence of fever and endoscopic findings. The availability of better diagnostic techniques and treatments for Blastocystis infection may be of value in understanding chronic gastrointestinal illness of unknown etiology.

Details

Title: Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and asymptomatic infection
Authors/Creators: K.F. Boorom (Author/Creator) - Blastocystis Research Foundation, Corvallis, USA
H. Smith (Author/Creator) - Stobhill Hospital
L. Nimri (Author/Creator) - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
E. Viscogliosi (Author/Creator) - Institut Pasteur de Lille
G. Spanakos (Author/Creator) - National School of Public Health
U. Parkar (Author/Creator) - Murdoch University
L-H Li (Author/Creator) - Weifang Medical University
X-N Zhou (Author/Creator) - National Institute for Parasitic Diseases
Ü.Z. Ok (Author/Creator) - Manisa Celal Bayar University
S. Leelayoova (Author/Creator) - Phramongkutklao College of Medicine
M.S. Jones (Author/Creator) - David Grant USAF Medical Center
Publication Details: Parasites & Vectors, Vol.1(1)
Publisher: BioMed Central
Identifiers: 991005543053007891
Murdoch Affiliation: School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration; International collaboration
Citation topics: 1 Clinical & Life Sciences; 1.246 Diarrheal Diseases; 1.246.985 Cryptosporidium
Web Of Science research areas: Parasitology; Tropical Medicine
ESI research areas: Microbiology