Exacerbated symptoms in Blastocystis sp.-infected patients treated with metronidazole: two case studies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2018
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a gastrointestinal (GI) protozoan parasite reported to cause non-specific GI symptoms including diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and nausea. Complete eradication of Blastocystis sp. is rather challenging even with the drug of choice, i.e., metronidazole. Here, we report on two Blastocystis sp.-infected individuals, who presented increased parasite load and exacerbated symptoms upon treatment with the usual recommended dosage and regime of metronidazole. The two studies uniquely demonstrate for the first time a cyst count as high as fivefold more than the original cyst count before treatment and show an exacerbation of GI symptoms despite treatment. The study provides additional support in recognizing metronidazole resistance in Blastocystis sp. and its consequences towards the pathogenicity of the parasite.
Keywords
Blastocystis sp, Cysts, Exacerbation of symptoms, Metronidazole, Subtypes
Divisions
fac_med
Funders
Fundamental Research Grant Scheme (FRGS), FP015-2017A,Postgraduate Research Grant (PPP), PG140-2016A
Publication Title
Parasitology Research
Volume
117
Issue
8
Publisher
Springer Verlag (Germany)