Blastocystis Rash
1.0 Rash Case Reports
A list of PUBMED index case reports concerning skin rashes arising from Blastocystis infection follows:
Gupta R, Parsi K. Chronic urticaria due to Blastocystis hominis. Australas J Dermatol. 2006 May;47(2):117-9. PMID: 16637808
Cassano N, Scoppio BM, Loviglio MC, Vena GA. Related Articles, Links
Remission of delayed pressure urticaria after eradication of Blastocystis hominis. Acta Derm Venereol. 2005;85(4):357-8. PMID: 16191864
Pasqui AL, Savini E, Saletti M, Guzzo C, Puccetti L, Auteri A. Chronic urticaria and blastocystis hominis infection: a case report. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2004 May-Jun;8(3):117-20. PMID: 15368795
Barahona Rondon L, Maguina Vargas C, Naquira Velarde C, Terashima I A, Tello R. [Human blastocystosis: prospective study symptomatology and associated epidemiological factors] Rev Gastroenterol Peru. 2003 Jan-Mar;23(1):29-35. PMID: 12768212
Biedermann T, Hartmann K, Sing A, Przybilla B. Hypersensitivity to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and chronic urticaria cured by treatment of Blastocystis hominis infection. Br J Dermatol. 2002 Jun;146(6):1113-4.
PMID: 12072100
Armentia A, Mendez J, Gomez A, Sanchis E, Fernandez A, de la Fuente R, Sanchez P. Urticaria by Blastocystis hominis. Successful treatment with paromomycin. Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 1993 Jul-Aug;21(4):149-51.
PMID: 8237719
Kick G, Rueff F, Przybilla B. Palmoplantar pruritus subsiding after Blastocystis hominis eradication. Acta Derm Venereol. 2002;82(1):60. PMID: 12013204
2.0 Mechanism
An inflammatory mechanism has been proposed by dermatologists to explain the rashes.
However, after examining some of these rashes, it is suggested the possibility that these rashes are a manifestation of the organism's invasiveness should be considered.
3.0 Rash Photographs
This otherwise healthy patient developed non-healing ulcerous lesions on his arm following infections with Blastocystis. The cause of the lesions remains formally undiagnosed. The picture shows a suture applied after a biopsy was taken from the lesion. The biopsy results showed "organizing inflammation."
This Blastocystis patient developed a chronic itchy red rash on the trunk and upper abdomen which waxed and waned with gastrointestinal symptoms. The lesions did not respond to topical antibacterial treatment or hydrocortisone treatment.
This young Blastocystis patient developed red sores on her face in addition to gastrointestinal symptoms.
Non-healing lesion on Blastocystis patient