Asymptomatic Blastocystis-infected Persons as Potential Carriers of Disease in Thailand.
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Date
2015
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Abstract
Aim: Blastocystis spp. is currently classified as a gastrointestinal protozoan parasite and has
become quite a controversial organism. This study was aimed to obtain information about the
prevalence of Blastocystis infection among an otherwise healthy, asymptomatic Thai population.
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Place and Duration of Study: The study areas were the Border Patrol-police station (Subdivision
12), Sa Kaeo Province; the Home for Mentally Handicapped Childcare, Ban Rajawadee, in
Nonthaburi Province; Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom Province and the Intercity Motorway
Division, Department of Highways, Bangkok. The study was carried during 2010-2013. Methodology: Fecal examination was performed by direct simple smear test on 3,940 out of 6,537
Thais of different genders, ages, occupations, and residential locations who joined the annual
health check-up program serviced by the Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University.
Results: It was found that 1.0% (40/3,940) presented with Blastocystis infection was asymptomatic
of clinical symptoms at a male to female ratio of 2.3:1.0. Blastocystis infection was predominantly
found in the age group 41-50 years (47.5%, 19/40). Border Patrol-policemen (Subdivision 12), who
resided and worked in rural areas of Sa Kaeo Province near the border between Thailand and
Cambodia had significantly higher prevalence of Blastocystis infection (2.8%) than the staff of the
Intercity Motorway Division, Department of Highways, in urban Bangkok (0.1%). Other occupations
located in suburban areas, such as workers at the Home for Mentally Handicapped Childcare, Ban
Rajawadee, in Nonthaburi Province, who worked closely with mentally handicapped children, and
officials and lecturers at Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom Province, also had significantly
higher prevalence rates than Intercity Motorway Division staff in urban Bangkok, with prevalence
rates of 4.20% and 2.55%, respectively. Food handlers and cooks who prepared and sold food in
Silpakorn University had similar prevalence rates of Blastocystis infection as Intercity Motorway
Division staff.
Conclusion: This study revealed that Blastocystis infected patients probably did not show
obviously clinical symptoms in asymptomatic carriers, who can spread infections to others and
environments.
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Keywords
Blastocystis infection, prevalenc, asymptomatic, carriers
Citation
Mingmongkol Sompong, Prasartpan Surong, Aumkhayan Suwannee, Watthanakulpanich Dorn. Asymptomatic Blastocystis-infected Persons as Potential Carriers of Disease in Thailand. International Journal of TROPICAL DISEASE & Health. 2015; 10(2): 1-10.