abdominal pain journals
Role of Blastocystis Hominis
<!– @page { size: 21cm 29.7cm; margin: 2cm } P { margin-bottom: 0.21cm } –>
Blastocystis hominis(B. hominis) is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in humans. It appears in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. Although several reports have suggested that B. hominis could cause gastrointestinal disorders, the specific pathogenicity of this organism has not yet been defined.
The clinical consequences of B. hominis infection are mainly diarrhea or abdominal pain with nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, anorexia, vomiting, weight loss, lassitude, dizziness, and flatulence. It has been speculated that thick-walled cysts might be responsible for external transmission, while thin-walled cysts might reinfect within a host’s intestinal tract.
It has been suggested that B. hominis could be transmitted via untreated water. The various mechanisms suggested for B. hominis-mediated gastrointestinal symptoms include adherence of B. hominis to the gut epithelium, triggering a lysis mechanism as shown for E. histolytica, G. lamblia, and existence of a diarrheagenic toxin.
In one study, B. hominis was isolated from the feces of 46% of the IBS patients. These patients came from different residential areas of the city and diverse walks of life; however, a high prevalence of B. hominis would not reflect their personal hygiene. This study failed to show a significant association in any age group.
Several reports have suggested that the association of persistent bowel dysfunction is likely to be associated with deeper penetration of the B. hominis and thus more severe mucosal inflammation. However, evidence of ulceration or invasion of B. hominis into the tissue could not be found by colonoscopy and biopsies in patients with IBS.
This might be consistent with the results of Phillips and Zierdt, who showed that invasion of B. hominis took place only under certain condition in germ-free guinea pigs. Histopathologic examination of rectal and sigmoid colonic tissues with non-specific inflammation failed to demonstrate B. hominis.
This represents a mild increase in inflammatory cells for which there may not be a necessary and specific etiology, and may be part of the normal variation in population. In IBS patients, cysts of Entamoeba coli were also demonstrated on stool microscopy, which is associated with asymptomatic carriage.
Stool culture appeared to be more sensitive in diagnosing B. hominis infection than microscopy, which is consistent with the previous study. This prevalence study shows an association between B. hominis and IBS, although the study population was small. In some IBS patients, the presence of B. hominis may not be casual and responsible for diarrhea.
It has been previously demonstrated that IBS patients had significantly high-levels of specific IgG antibodies against B. hominis. Also, a subgroup of IBS patients have persistently increased concentrations of inflammatory cytokines that include interleukin-1, which by inhibiting absorption of sodium and water, could contribute to persistent diarrhea.
In one study, a significant proportion of IBS patients demonstrated B. hominis in their fecal samples. However, in view of its pathogenic and nonpathogenic strains, it requires further studies to confirm the pathogenic role of B. hominis in IBS in a larger sample size. Stool culture again has a higher yield for B. hominis than stool microscopy.
Very recent advances in the scientific understanding of the medicinal plant extracts in IBS DropsRx suggest a much broader use of natural medicine to provide effective treatment for IBS and other related disorders than science thought possible just ten years ago. IBS DropsRx is concentrated with a wide spectrum of medicinal plant extracts exhibiting effective IBS treatment.
Components of IBS DropsRx reduce gastro-intestinal hypersensitivity and act as an antispasmolytic tonic on spastic, gastro-intestinal muscle. In addition, a stimulating effect on reduced mucus-secretion, an inhibitory effect on enhanced gastric acid secretion and an anti-inflammatory effect have been shown.
Of further significance, the medicinal plant extracts in IBS DropsRx contain some of the most powerful antioxidants in existence, as supported by pharmacological journals such as Free Radical Research, Journal of Pharmacology, and the Indian Journal of Biology. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.
About the Author
staff of Nature Power Company, which is a network company dedicated to promoting customers\’ websites and developing softwares. You can go to the following websites to learn more about our natural organic products. http://www.bcured.net http://www.naturespharma.org
2005 New Pioneers Awards
