The name of Blastocystis Hominis is not one but two definitions.
The first one pertains to 'Blastocystis' which is a single-cell parasite that is found predominantly in the intestines of humans, primates, domestic/farm animals, rats, fish, reptiles and even insects (such as cockroaches).
The 'Hominis' name was attributed to the specific type that infected human beings; this was when it was believed by scientists that there is a separate species of Blastocystis parasite that affects each type of living organisms.
In this manner, the parasite infecting humans became Blastocystis Hominis, while the one that infected rats was called Blastocystis ratti.
Later, it was discovered that the parasite that infected humans is not a separate species; rather the difference between the various types of Blastocystis is due to genetic differences rather that preference of host.
After many research studies on this parasite, the medical fraternity arrived to the consensus that there are nine different subtypes of this particular parasite, and that each of these nine subtypes can infect humans as well as animals alike.
In 2007, a 10th strain was discovered in China, but until date it is not yet clear whether this is a ramification of the already classified nine sub-types or a different one that could then be counted as the tenth one.
Since the new findings negated the fact that there was any one specific strain that infected humans exclusively, the name of Blastocystis Hominis was substituted with 'Blastocystis sp subtype nn', where the 'nn' stood for the number of the particular classified sub-type (1-9).
Is this parasite harmful for humans? The so-called Blastocystis Hominis enters the gastro-intestinal tracts through the fecal-oral route.
The cycle starts when a cyst of the Blastocystis parasite in ingested.
This settles in the intestine and develops cysts and other forms of this parasite, which are excreted into the external environment.
The parasite enters the intestines of animals and humans through infected food (raw or undercooked meat, unwashed hands, contaminated water, and so on) and the cycle starts again.
Not all who host the parasite develop symptoms.
The disease that sometimes develops post incubation is called Blastocystosis.
The basic symptoms that characterize this ailment are acute abdominal cramps, weight loss, flatulence, unexplained fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, and feelings of doom and gloom.
Animals on most occasions manifest diarrhea.
Humans can develop depression, headaches, skin rashes and intestinal inflammation.
The diagnosis of the diseases requires - in the opinions of experts - special microscopic equipment for identification.
According to these experts, pathologic study of a stool culture could be successful in the detection of the parasite only 83% of the time.
What are some effective prevention measures? Since the parasite is transmitted through ingestion, it is imperative that hygiene is given paramount importance when travelling to less developed countries (or regions), or when drinking untreated or impure water, eating raw food, and the like.
Studies show that the genetic characteristics are geographically localized; for example, the Blastocystis subtype 2 is more prevalent in Japan, while Blastocystis subtype 1 is found most commonly in China.
The subtype 3 is usually prevalent is places where water is untreated or treated only with chlorination and ozone treatment.
The first one pertains to 'Blastocystis' which is a single-cell parasite that is found predominantly in the intestines of humans, primates, domestic/farm animals, rats, fish, reptiles and even insects (such as cockroaches).
The 'Hominis' name was attributed to the specific type that infected human beings; this was when it was believed by scientists that there is a separate species of Blastocystis parasite that affects each type of living organisms.
In this manner, the parasite infecting humans became Blastocystis Hominis, while the one that infected rats was called Blastocystis ratti.
Later, it was discovered that the parasite that infected humans is not a separate species; rather the difference between the various types of Blastocystis is due to genetic differences rather that preference of host.
After many research studies on this parasite, the medical fraternity arrived to the consensus that there are nine different subtypes of this particular parasite, and that each of these nine subtypes can infect humans as well as animals alike.
In 2007, a 10th strain was discovered in China, but until date it is not yet clear whether this is a ramification of the already classified nine sub-types or a different one that could then be counted as the tenth one.
Since the new findings negated the fact that there was any one specific strain that infected humans exclusively, the name of Blastocystis Hominis was substituted with 'Blastocystis sp subtype nn', where the 'nn' stood for the number of the particular classified sub-type (1-9).
Is this parasite harmful for humans? The so-called Blastocystis Hominis enters the gastro-intestinal tracts through the fecal-oral route.
The cycle starts when a cyst of the Blastocystis parasite in ingested.
This settles in the intestine and develops cysts and other forms of this parasite, which are excreted into the external environment.
The parasite enters the intestines of animals and humans through infected food (raw or undercooked meat, unwashed hands, contaminated water, and so on) and the cycle starts again.
Not all who host the parasite develop symptoms.
The disease that sometimes develops post incubation is called Blastocystosis.
The basic symptoms that characterize this ailment are acute abdominal cramps, weight loss, flatulence, unexplained fatigue, diarrhea or constipation, and feelings of doom and gloom.
Animals on most occasions manifest diarrhea.
Humans can develop depression, headaches, skin rashes and intestinal inflammation.
The diagnosis of the diseases requires - in the opinions of experts - special microscopic equipment for identification.
According to these experts, pathologic study of a stool culture could be successful in the detection of the parasite only 83% of the time.
What are some effective prevention measures? Since the parasite is transmitted through ingestion, it is imperative that hygiene is given paramount importance when travelling to less developed countries (or regions), or when drinking untreated or impure water, eating raw food, and the like.
Studies show that the genetic characteristics are geographically localized; for example, the Blastocystis subtype 2 is more prevalent in Japan, while Blastocystis subtype 1 is found most commonly in China.
The subtype 3 is usually prevalent is places where water is untreated or treated only with chlorination and ozone treatment.
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