Blastocystis hominis among apparently healthy food handlers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

A prospective study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis hominis among random sample of apparently healthy food handlers. A total of 250 non-Saudi males over 21 years of age was examined. 90 [36%] had pathogenic and non-pathogenic intestinal parasites. A total of 143 parasites were detected in their stool specimens. 20 were B. hominis [13.99%] while other parasites were 123 [86.01%]. B. hominis was found in 20 positive cases [22.22%] with an overall rate of 8%. Of these 20 cases, 2 had B. hominis as a sole parasite, 12 as a double infection and 6 as a triple infection. Other intestinal parasites were found [Giardia lamblia [16.8%], Entamoeba histolytica [10%], E. coli [6.4%], Chilomastix mesnili [5.6%], Trichomonas hominis [1.2%] and Endolimax nana [0.8%]]. The helminths were represented by Ascaris lumbricoides [4%], Hymenolepis nana [3.2%], Enterobius vermicularis [1.2%] and Trichocephalus trichiura [0.8%]. B. hominis should be taken into consideration when dealing with patients with gastrointestinal problems