Association between Blastocystis Hominis and IBS

Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a unicellular protozoan found in the large intestine of humans. Infection occurs worldwide but is commonly found in the tropics and developing countries. The pathogenic potential of B. hominis in the human intestine is controversial because the organism has been found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The morphologic forms observed include vacuolar, granular, and amoeboid.

The morphologic form responsible for transmitting the disease has not been identified, and spread is presumed to be via the feco-oral route. The vacuolated form is most commonly found in feces. Infection is usually diagnosed on the basis of direct microscopy of the fecal sample and observing the vacuolated form of the organism using a light microscope.

Cultures of B. hominis, although easy to prepare, are not done routinely, although a previous study demonstrated that cultures of B. hominis were clearly superior to direct microscopy in terms of sensitivity. Superficial invasion and mucosal inflammation of the intestine with B. hominis have been observed in studies of gnotobiotic guinea pigs.

Although controlled studies of the association between B. hominis and diarrhea are lacking, there have been studies that have examined the link between B. hominis and IBS. Levels of IgG antibody to B. hominis were increased significantly in the patients with IBS compared with asymptomatic controls. This is suggestive of a link between B. hominis and IBS.

Symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome group were equally common in males and females. Abdominal pain was seen in 80% and was described as cramping in 64%. The bowel habit was described as diarrhea in 73% and constipation in 13%. Consistency of stool varied from semi-formed in 33%, normal 25%, and loose 42%.

Clonoscopy showed patchy erythema in the rectum and sigmoid colon in 11% and 3%, respectively. This was later confirmed to be nonspecific inflammation. A vague abdominal pain was present in only 40% in control group. The bowel habit was described as diarrhea in 87.3% with loose consistency of stools.

The IBS symptoms were equally common in males and females. 74% of the cases and 40% of the controls had abdominal pain. 73% of the cases and 87% of the controls had a bowel habit described as diarrhea. In control group, 33% presented with fever and 42% with loss of appetite, while patients in IBS group did not demonstrate these features.

Stool microscopy was positive for B. hominis in 32% of the IBS patients and in 7.3% of the control group. 2% of the IBS patients were positive for cysts of Entamoeba coli. Stool culture was positive for B. hominis in 46% of the IBS patients and in 7.3% of the control group. Stool microscopy in both groups of patients yielded positive results for B. hominis in 23% compared with 32% by stool culture. Stool culture for B. hominis was more sensitive than microscopy.

Irritable bowel syndrome often disrupts daily living activities. 19% of respondents in a survey of married or cohabiting people with IBS stated they had difficulties in their personal relationships, and 45% stated that it interfered with their sex life. The need for effective IBS treatment is therefore of a high priority.

IBS is a therapeutic challenge as it is not only characterized by a multitude of symptoms, some of them with severe consequences for affected patients, but is also caused by a multitude of factors. The clinical efficacy of the therapeutics in IBS DropsRx has been proven in a number of randomized prospective clinical studies.

Several of these preclinical studies suggest that the efficacy of this highly specialized treatment could be due to its complex composition of a multitude of standardized herbal extracts, which act differently on multiple sites. This principle, which is quite popular in clinical medicine, was introduced as a multi-target therapy for functional bowel disorders.

IBS DropsRx has a direct influence on the environments of both the unwanted condition and the person. The antispasmodic properties provide a reversal of the condition. These extracts also have a cleansing effect on the intestinal microbial buildup that can be associated with IBS. To learn more, please go to http://www.naturespharma.org.