Abstract :
Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a chronic gastrointestinal condition characterized by
abdominal discomfort, bloating and disturbed defecation. The etiology of IBS has not been clearly identified. It has been hypothesized that parasitic infection may play a role in IBS patients particularly in developing countries. Previous studies have shown that Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis), an obligate anaerobic protozoa found in human intestine, was frequently detected in the stool of IBS patients.
Aims: To determine the prevalence of parasitic infection in IBS patients as well as the association
betweenB. hominis and IBS patients.
Methods: We enrolled 80 patients. IBS was defined by Rome II criteria. The patients were divided into
two groups. 40 patients were enrolled in the IBS group and 40 patients were enrolled in the control group. Medical history, physical examination, and stool specimens for oval and parasites, bacterial culture, and culture for B.hominis with Jones’ medium were obtained.
Results: Fourteen males and 26 females were identified in the IBS group. The mean age was 51 years.
In the IBS group, 23 patients (57.5%) reported diarrhea, 10 patients (25%) reported constipation, and 7 patients (17.5%) reported abdominal pain. Twenty five males and 15 females were identified in the control group. The mean age was 46 years. In the IBS group, microscopic exam of the stool samples identified B. hominis in 6 patients (15%) and Microsopidia in 1 patient (2.5%). In the control group, B. hominis was identified in 5 patients (12.5%), Ascaris lumbricoides was identified in 1 patient (2.5%), and Entamoeba coli cyst was seen in 1 patient (2.5%). Stool culture was positive for B. hominis in 17.5% (7 of 40) of the patients in the IBS group and in 12.5% (5 of 40) of the patients in the control group (P = 0.75). Underlying disease, smoking, alcohol, and characteristic of stool were similar in both groups.
Conclusions: B. hominis was a predominant parasitic infection in both IBS and control groups. The prevalence of B. hominis in both groups was not significantly different suggesting that it may not be associated with the development of IBS.
[Thai J Gastroenterol 2006; 7(2): 88-92] |
file/Thai-Journal-of-gastroenterology-vol-7-no-2-3025371.pdf