Patient Accounts

Blastocystis 'hominis' News

March 25, 2011: Research publish complete genome sequence of Blastocystis

March 23, 2011: Culinary herbs common in Southeast Asian cooking inhibit growth of Blastocystis in-vitro

February 12, 2011: Diagnostic methods commonly used in laboratories fail to identify most Blastocystis infections

January 17, 2011: US FDA researchers report on new assay for Blastocystis

November 18, 2010: BRF co-authors study on detection of Blastocystis in samples from patients with inflammatory bowel disease and IBS

March 4, 2010: Rats infected with Blastocystis exhibit high levels of oxidative stress in a new paper from Parasitology Research

February 10, 2010: Are any of the antiprotozoal drugs really eradicating Blastocystis 'hominis' infection in patients? A recent review: "Eradication of Blastocystis carriage with antimicrobials: reality or delusion?" says they may not be working.

February 9, 2010: Patients with ulcerative colitis are more likely to experience a relapse in illness if they are infected with Blastocystis and other protozoa

January 15, 2010: BRF co-authors the world's first report on subtyping of Blastocystis 'hominis' isolates from Egypt

Older News

NOTE: The correct term is now Blastocystis not Blastocystis 'hominis' as there is no Blastocystis unique to humans.

Contracted in Sudan

Saturday, February 6, 2010, 9:23 pm [EST]

Message: I contracted Blastocystis 'hominis' in Sudan in early 2006.

My story is sadly very familiar to so many others on this site. This disease has had a considerable impact on my life, although I feel fortunate to have managed to pursue my career, and start a family.

I'm contacting you because none of the treatments I've been tried have helped (I've tried all the main treatment combinations, both conventional nd natural) except for my most recent round of medication.

In December, I went to a primary care physician to test my blood sugar level as a friend had mentioned that some of my symptoms suggested diabetes. A native of Ghana, he looked at my history and declared that I had chronic Malaria. (I did have a history of Malaria in Sudan).

He advised me to take a 20 day course of Lariam at 250 mg a day. (The standard dose for malaria prevention is 250 mg a week.)

Well, I can't describe the difference it made. Everyday I felt stronger, and all my symptoms gradually improved. I thought he was right and that I did have Malaria, until I finished and the symptoms returned. I've since seen various Malaria specialists who are are convinced that I do not have Malaria. The only thing I test positive for is Blastocystis 'hominis' (which, as usual, they say is not the cause of my problems.)

I urge you to look into the potential of Mefloquine/Lariam or derivatives in the treatment of Blastocystis 'hominis'. Although, my symptoms returned, they are not as bad as they were, and I sincerely believe that If I take an extended course, perhaps over 2 months, that I can rid myself of this disease. No other drug has had made any impact on my symptoms over the last 4 years.

Lariam is obviously not a particularly nice drug, and many people seem to have bad experiences with it. I had no significant side effects whilst taking it at the 250mg doseage except a little dizziness.

I know how helpless people feel with this disease. I know what it feels like to take dozens of medications and not feel better. I urge those of you are desperate to get better to consider taking an extended course of Lariam.

I hope this email strikes a chord with someone. Some research really needs to be done.