Blastocystis hominis: prevalence in asymptomatic versus symptomatic hosts.

Blastocystis hominis, other protozoans, and fecal leukocytes were tabulated on trichrome-stained fecal smears from 182 asymptomatic and 125 symptomatic control patients. No statistically significant difference in prevalence of B. hominis was found between the asymptomatic study group and the symptomatic control group; the clinical profile of subjects with B.

Blastocystis hominis: pathogen or fellow traveler?

Blastocystis hominis, an intestinal organism of uncertain taxonomic position, has long been considered nonpathogenic. Some recent studies suggest, however, that it may be associated with diarrhea and may respond to treatment with iodoquinol or metronidazole. To investigate this possibility, we identified 148 persons whose stools contained this organism.