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Blastocystosis is the name given to infection with Blastocystis hominis, a common microscopic parasitic organism found throughout the world.
Blastocystis hominis is a protozoan microorganism which may or may not cause disease in people. In a study published in 1988, 11 people with this organism in their stools who had diarrhea-like symptoms were studied. In each of them another explanation for their symptoms was found and there was no relationship between the patient's symptoms, treatment for B. hominis, and the clearing of the organism from the stool samples. Those authors reviewed other reports and concluded there was no convincing proof that this organism caused disease in humans. Whether this is true in individuals who have some type of immunodeficiency is less clear.
Causes & Development
Symptoms may be caused by infection with other parasitic organisms, bacteria, or viruses. Often, B. hominis is found along with other such organisms that are more likely to be the cause of symptoms.
How Blastocystis is transmitted is not known, although the number of people infected seems to increase in areas where sanitation and personal hygiene is inadequate. The oral-fecal route is suspected, and it has been called 'the hippie disease', because it is more likely to occur in crowded and unsanitary conditions.
Signs & Symptoms
Many people have Blastocystis without ever having symptoms. Anyone who has gastro-intestinal, allergic, skin or immune problems which seem to come and go, on and off, without making much sense, should suspect that he or she may have Blastocystis hominis. The reason for this is that Blastocystis hominis attacks the body and creates trouble when you're under stress or weakened. The moment your body picks up a little, it may not be able to affect you.
Treatment & Prevention
Blastocystis is difficult to eradicate. It hides in the intestinal mucus, sticks and holds on very hard to your intestinal membranes, making elimination very difficult. Several approaches are necessary in order to eliminate blastocystis. These treatments can be used in combination, but may need to be rotated, as one agent taken for a prolonged period may cause resistance to develop. Try introducing a new agent at least every week. In this way, the blastocystis will be less likely tot build up an immunity to any of the selected items.
Conventional doctors may recommend Flagyl, although resistance has been encountered.
Prognosis
Blastocystis can remain in the intestines for weeks, months, or years. Some patients with this organism in their stools who have symptoms improve with no treatment at all.
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Signs, symptoms & indicators of Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis):
Risk factors for Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis): | | | | | Digestion |  Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion | In a person with weakened digestion or weakened immune response, blastocystis can produce a host of symptoms which appear to come and go and are very unpredictable. |
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Immunity |
Weakened Immune System| | In a person with poor digestion or weakened immune response, blastocystis can produce a host of symptoms which appear to come and go and are very unpredictable. |
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Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis) suggests the following may be present: | | | | | Digestion |  Dyspepsia / Poor Digestion| | In a person with weakened digestion or weakened immune response, blastocystis can produce a host of symptoms which appear to come and go and are very unpredictable. |
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Immunity |
Weakened Immune System| | In a person with poor digestion or weakened immune response, blastocystis can produce a host of symptoms which appear to come and go and are very unpredictable. |
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Recommendations and treatments for Blastocystosis (Blastocystis hominis): | | | | | Botanical |  Oil of Oregano| | One study investigated the use of oregano oil in the treatment of GI parasites in 14 adult patients. After 6 weeks of treatment, there was a complete disappearance of Entamoeba hartmanni in 4 cases and Blastocystis hominis in 8 cases. Gastrointestinal symptoms improved in 7 of the 11 patients infected with B. hominis. [Phytotherapy Research. 2000; 14: pp.213-4] |
 Wormwood
Black Walnut| | Hulda Clark's well-known anti-parasitic formula of wormwood, black walnut and cloves may be helpful in reducing Blastocystis. |
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Diet |
 Grain-free Diet| | Blastocystis is a very peculiar organism in that it especially likes grains. Many affected people may have grain allergies or difficulties tolerating grains. |
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Digestion |
Digestive Enzymes| | Fat-splitting or fat-digesting enzymes are very important in combatting blastocystis. When studied under the microscope, blastocystis seems to have a fatty reservoir. These enzymes are helpful in dissolving some of the blastocystis and weakening it, thereby allowing the herbal substances to have greater effect. |
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Drug |
Conventional Drug Avoidance| | A common standard treatment for blastocystis includes flagyl and other drugs. However, blastocystis is so hard to eliminate that medical drugs which are highly toxic may have to be taken for long periods of time in order to fully eliminate it. The length of time that one may need to take the medical drug may actually cause damage to one's liver or kidneys. Therefore, a slower, natural approach is definitely desirable. |
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Mineral |
Colloidal Silver| | It has been claimed that colloidal silver has helped to eradicate this infection. |
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Physical Medicine |
Colon Cleansing| | Bowel cleansing may be necessary in order to eliminate blastocystis. The reason for this is the old mucus or old fecal matter lining the intestinal tract must be broken down and eliminated to physically wash out the blastocystis. Other treatments are then able to make full contact with the blastocystis, which may be stuck to the intestinal lining. Colonics or enemas containing agents to kill the organism can help. |
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KEY | | Weak or unproven link | | | Strong or generally accepted link | | | May do some good | | | Likely to help | | | Highly recommended |
GLOSSARY
Abdomen (Abdominal)
That part of the body between the chest and the hips that contains the stomach, intestines, liver, bladder, pancreas and other organs.
Allergy (Allergies)
Hypersensitivity caused by exposure to a particular antigen (allergen), resulting in an increased reactivity to that antigen on subsequent exposure, sometimes with harmful immunologic consequences.
Bacteria (Bacterial, Bacterium)
Microscopic germs. Some bacteria are "harmful" and can cause disease, while other "friendly" bacteria protect the body from harmful invading organisms.
Diarrhea
Excessive discharge of contents of bowel.
Enzymes (Enzyme)
Specific protein catalysts produced by the cells that are crucial in chemical reactions and in building up or synthesizing most compounds in the body. Each enzyme performs a specific function without itself being consumed. For example, the digestive enzyme amylase acts on carbohydrates in foods to break them down.
Gastrointestinal (GI, GI Tract)
Pertaining to the stomach, small and large intestines, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, and gallbladder.
Herbs (Herb, Herbal)
Herbs may be used as dried extracts (capsules, powders, teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, teas should be made with one teaspoon herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Tinctures may be used singly or in combination as noted. The high doses of single herbs suggested may be best taken as dried extracts (in capsules), although tinctures (60 drops four times per day) and teas (4 to 6 cups per day) may also be used.
Immune System (Immune Response, Immunity)
A complex that protects the body from disease organisms and other foreign bodies. The system includes the humoral immune response and the cell-mediated response. The immune system also protects the body from invasion by making local barriers and inflammation. The process may involve acquired immunity (the ability to learn and remember a specific infectious agent), or innate immunity (the genetically programmed system of responses that attack, digest, remove, and initiate inflammation and tissue healing).
Kidneys (Kidney, Renal)
Bean-shaped organs, each about the size of a fist. They are located near the middle of the back, just below the rib cage. The kidneys are sophisticated reprocessing machines, each day handling about 50 gallons of blood to sift out about half a gallon of waste products and extra water. The waste and extra water become urine, which flows to the bladder through tubes called ureters. The actual filtering occurs in tiny units inside the kidneys called nephrons. Every kidney has about a million nephrons. In a nephron, a glomerulus -- which is a tiny blood vessel, or capillary -- intertwines with a tiny urine-collecting tube called a tubule. A complicated chemical exchange takes place, as waste materials and water leave your blood and enter your urinary system. The kidneys recycle chemicals such as sodium, phosphorus, and potassium and thus regulate their levels. Renal: Pertaining to the kidneys.
Liver (Hepatic)
The largest and one of the most complex organs of the body, the liver is responsible for much of the metabolism of fats, proteins and carbohydrates. It is the site of much of the body's detoxification. It is connected very closely with digestion and the regulation of blood sugar, among many other functions. Found behind the ribs on the right side of the abdomen, it has many important functions such as removing harmful material from the blood, making enzymes and bile that help digest food, and converting food into substances needed for life and growth. Hepatic: Pertaining to the liver.
Mucus (Mucous)
The viscous, slippery substance that consists chiefly of mucin, water, cells, and inorganic salts and is secreted as a protective lubricant coating by cells and glands of the mucous membranes.
Parasite (Parasites, Parasitic, Parasitical)
An organism living in or on another organism.
Protozoan (Protozoa)
Any one of a large group of one-celled (unicellular) animals, including amoebas. They are microorganisms that differ from bacteria in that they are larger and possess a nucleus surrounded by a membrane. Several species of protozoa can be transmitted through water and cause disease in humans, including Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Cyclospora, Entamoeba and Isospora. One distinguishing characteristic of protozoa is that when released from the human body through feces they are present in an encysted (dormant) form. These cysts have a protective layer that surrounds them and keeps chemicals from penetrating them. Therefore, chlorine disinfection does not kill the protozoan cysts.
Virus (Viri, Viruses)
Any of a vast group of minute structures composed of a protein coat and a core of DNA and/or RNA that reproduces in the cells of the infected host. Capable of infecting all animals and plants, causing devastating disease in immunocompromised individuals. Viruses are not affected by antibiotics, and are completely dependent upon the cells of the infected host for the ability to reproduce.
Last updated: Nov 08, 2009
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