Blastocystis SPP. infection prevalence and associated patient characteristics as predictors among a cohort of symptomatic and a symptomatic Egyptians

Blastocystis spp. (spp.) is an unicellular large intestinal protozoan parasite that has a worldwide distribution. It unclear pathogenicity and linked to many clinical disorders. The study purpose was determine the prevalence of molecularly in cohort symptomatic asymptomatic individuals assess association with patient characteristics as possible predictors occurrence Fecal specimens were collected from 139 Egyptians both sexes, aged 5 months 74 years. All fecal examined coproscopically for detection gut parasites cultured on Modified Jones’ medium Molecular assay using nested PCR (nPCR) performed Blastocystis. between demographics data determined. Prevalence parasitic infections 62 (44.6%) coproscopy. most prevalent (21.6%) individuals, followed by E. histolytica complex (13.7%) Giardia intestinalis (10.8%). Cryptosporidium (2.2%) coli (2.1%) least detected parasites. Among studied characteristics, only age showed statistical significance Blastocysitis