Blastocystis

when was blastocyst discovered

1900s

concern over blastocyst

lives in digestive tract and can be asymptomatic or cause gastrointestinal illnesses

special lifecycle characteristics of blastocyst

can change shape during lifecycle

Blastocystis hominis

not uncommon in humans

cyst shedding in Blastocystis hominis

cyst is passed in the feces and has a thick wall

blastocystis hominis cyst characteristics

large central body resembling a vacuole that has a narrow rim of cytoplasm and inclusion bodies

potential transmission of blastocystis hominis

fecal-oral

why is blastocyst so important

it is zoonotic

how many subtypes of Blastocyst

14

clinical signs of blastocystis

watery or loose stools, diarrhea, abdominal pain, anal itching, weight loss, constipation, excess gas, skin rashes/hives

spreading of blastocyst

contaminated food/water or daycares

diagnosis of blastocyst

fecal sample examination

prevention of blastocyst

sanitation and hygiene precautions