Blastocystis hominis infection in irritable bowel syndrome patients.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a functional bowel disorder in which abdominal pain is associated with a defect or a change in bowel habits. Subtle inflammation, especially after infectious enteritis, has been sometimes suspected as one mechanism of pathogenesis. This research was performed (1) to evaluate the prevalence of parasitic infections and (2) the possible association of IBS and parasitic infections.

The levels of cockroach allergen in relation to cockroach species and allergic diseases in Thai patients.

Unlabelled: Recently, cockroaches have been established as the second most Important allergen, producing allergic diseases, especially in low socioeconomic populations. In Thailand, about 44-61% of atopic patients were positive to cockroach extract by a skin-prick test. This study examined cockroach allergen levels in relation to cockroach species and allergic diseases in the houses of cockroach-sensitive patients.