Title |
Exacerbated symptoms in Blastocystis sp.-infected patients treated with metronidazole: two case studies
|
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Published in |
Parasitology Research, June 2018
|
DOI | 10.1007/s00436-018-5948-x |
Pubmed ID | |
Authors |
Arutchelvan Rajamanikam, Suresh Kumar, Chandramathi Samudi, Madhav Kudva |
Abstract |
Blastocystis sp. is a gastrointestinal (GI) protozoan parasite reported to cause non-specific GI symptoms including diarrhea, flatulence, abdominal pain, and nausea. Complete eradication of Blastocystis sp. is rather challenging even with the drug of choice, i.e., metronidazole. Here, we report on two Blastocystis sp.-infected individuals, who presented increased parasite load and exacerbated symptoms upon treatment with the usual recommended dosage and regime of metronidazole. The two studies uniquely demonstrate for the first time a cyst count as high as fivefold more than the original cyst count before treatment and show an exacerbation of GI symptoms despite treatment. The study provides additional support in recognizing metronidazole resistance in Blastocystis sp. and its consequences towards the pathogenicity of the parasite. |
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Unknown | 1 | 100% |
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Members of the public | 1 | 100% |
Mendeley readers
Geographical breakdown
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Unknown | 22 | 100% |
Demographic breakdown
Readers by professional status | Count | As % |
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Researcher | 4 | 18% |
Student > Master | 3 | 14% |
Student > Bachelor | 2 | 9% |
Student > Doctoral Student | 1 | 5% |
Student > Ph. D. Student | 1 | 5% |
Other | 3 | 14% |
Unknown | 8 | 36% |
Readers by discipline | Count | As % |
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Agricultural and Biological Sciences | 2 | 9% |
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology | 1 | 5% |
Veterinary Science and Veterinary Medicine | 1 | 5% |
Other | 1 | 5% |
Unknown | 7 | 32% |