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Blastocystis Research Foundation
  To find us, just Google 'Blastocystis'........without the hominis

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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.

Who We Are
(BRF Management)

BRF is a research consortium founded in 2006 by patients and their family members in Corvallis, Oregon.  We are governed by a 4-member board of director.  We work with scientists around the world to help make sure doctors have the tools they need to address Blastocystis 'hominis' infection.

BRF relies entirely on private donations to support our programs.  We do not receive any support from any US federal or state agency.  Additionally, those agencies do not support any research into the infection in US patients by any scientific organization.

BRF is pioneering a new way of performing biomedical research.  At BRF, we link scientists from different disciplines across international borders to create cross-functional teams.  This allows us to deliver solutions to physicians quickly and inexpensively.

At BRF, we are committed to our operating principles which support the use of rigorous scientific methodologies in medicine.

BRF History

April 2006: BRF Incorporated in State of Oregon

November 2006: BRF begins program with Oregon State University to investigate Blastocystis 'hominis' as a cause of chronic gastrointestinal illness in Willamette Valley.

January 14, 2007: Corvallis Gazette-Times publishes story on Blastocystis 'hominis' infection in Oregon.

February 7, 2007: Representative Sara Gelser introduces HB2699 into Oregon State Legislature to require Blastocystis 'hominis' infection to be reported.

  Read more about BRF History 

Interesting Facts about BRF

  • BRF's corporate governance has over 100 collective years of infectious disease experience.
  • BRF was founded in 2006 by patients and their family members in Corvallis, Oregon. 
  • Every US study of Blastocystis 'hominis' in US patients published in the 21st century has been organized or co-authored by BRF.
  • BRF published its first paper in 2006.
  • BRF organized its first US study in 2007.

  • BRF published its first international review in 2008. 

  • The original operating name, "The Foundation for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Blastocystis hominis" was shortened to the "Blastocystis Research Foundation" in 2006.

  • BRF is the only source of coordination for Blastocystis 'hominis' research in the US.  The NIH and CDC have not supported any research into Blastocystis 'hominis' infection in US patients since 1995