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.

Carine

Received October 28, 2009

Listen to Carine's Audio Testimony (WAV File - 2 Megabytes)

My name is Carine. I am calling from California. You can make this audio available publicly.

I have been sick for seven years with bouts of nausea, diarrhea, weight loss, loose floating stools, flatulence, abdominal pain, anal itching, headaches, and foggy head.

I went through seven doctors to find out what was wrong with me. I spent a lot of time and money on finding out what is making me sick. My symptoms got worse over time, and finally, last year, a stool test revealed the parasite Blastocystis 'hominis' hominis.

I had a colonoscopy as well that ruled out any cancer. Since then I went to an infectious disease specialist. I was given Flagyl twice for seven days each. And lastly ten days of Nitazoxanide.

At first the symptoms were better. For the first time in years, I had a normal well formed stool again. Then after three weeks, the symptoms reappeared, with loose floating stools and mucous, flatulence, pain especially in the right side of my abdomen.

I am due for another stool test which I already know will be positive for I exhibit the same symptoms again.

I am desparate to find a cure for this disease for it has impacted my life in a very negative way.

When I first had the symptoms, I was working, and had health insurance coverage. The doctor recommended a colonoscopy. Then I was sent to a proctologist. Finally to a surgeon who removed an internal hermmorhoid. But the diarrhea, long stringy stools, the anal itching and headaches......