None listed
Conditions
Brief summary
Blastocystis is a common enteric parasite but it is not known if it pathogenic. Many reports suggest that Blastocystis causes Irritable Bowel-like symptoms. In this study we treated 11 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms who were positive for Blastocystis in their stool in order to determine if this therapy made any difference to their symptoms. We also compared Blastocystis subtypes between symptomatic patients and their asymptomatic household contacts (human and animal). We used PCR subtyping tools to assess faecal carriage of Blastocystis which is a more accurate tool than simple smears or culture.
Interventions
Patients with gastrointestinal symptoms positive for Blastocystis carriage in their stool were treated with 14 days of either oral metronidazole 400 mg three times daily or oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim (Bactrim) 160/800 mg twice daily.
Sponsors
Dr Rebecca Traub
Study design
Allocation
Non-randomised trial
Intervention model
Parallel
Primary purpose
Treatment
Masking
Open (masking not used)
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
16 Years to 80 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
Chronic gastrointestinal symptoms
Exclusion criteria
Other documented cause of gastrointestinal symptoms other than Blastocystis carriage
Outcome results
None listed