Τίτλος:
Oh my aching gut: irritable bowel syndrome, Blastocystis, and
asymptomatic infection
Γλώσσες Τεκμηρίου:
Αγγλικά
Περίληψη:
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.
Συγγραφείς:
Boorom, Kenneth F.
Smith, Huw
Nimri, Laila
Viscogliosi, Eric
and Spanakos, Gregory
Parkar, Unaiza
Li, Lan-Hua
Zhou,
Xiao-Nong
Ok, Uelgen Z.
Leelayoova, Saovanee
Jones, Morris
S.
Περιοδικό:
Parasites & Vectors
DOI:
10.1186/1756-3305-1-40
