Abstract

KOZUBSKY, Leonora Eugenia  and  ARCHELLI, Susana. Some considerations about Blastocystis sp, a controversial parasite. Acta bioquím. clín. latinoam. [online]. 2010, vol.44, n.3, pp.371-376. ISSN 0325-2957.

Blastocystis is an anaerobic, unicellular organism and it is one of the most prevalent among intestinal parasites. It has a worldwide distribution. Nowadays, it is considered the only human parasite that belongs to the kingdom Chromista. Many morphological forms of the parasite are known: vacuolar, granular, amoeboid, avacuolar, multivacuolar and cyst. Its life cycle is not completely understood. Cysts are the forms of resistance and transmission. It is considered a zoonotic parasite with 9 subtypes, with different specificities for human and animal hosts. Its pathogenesis is controversial because it can cause asymptomatic and symptomatic infections, with gastrointestinal and cutaneous manifestations. Laboratory diagnosis may be performed by microscopic, cultural, serological and molecular techniques.

Keywords : Blastocystis sp.; Blastocystosis; Parasite.

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