Abstract

CAZORLA-PERFETTI, Dalmiro. ¿Blastocystis sp. or B. hominis? ¿Protozoa or chromist?. Saber [online]. 2014, vol.26, n.3, pp.343-346. ISSN 1315-0162.

Blastocystis spp. is the etiologic agent of blastocistosis. It is one of the major intestinal parasites affecting humans with a widespread geographic distribution, including Venezuela. It was originally named Blastocystis hominis and associated to fungi or protozoa. Nevertheless, recent phylogenetic studies with molecular tools revealed a closer relationship of this species with Stramenopiles or Chromists. Furthermore, it has a high genetic diversity being considered a complex of several genotypes or subtypes (ST), which strongly suggest limiting the name to Blastocystis spp. Thus, Blastocystis hominis is an invalid taxon. The need for homogenizing taxonomic and systematic nomenclatures of Blastocystis spp., is highlighted.

Keywords : Protozoa; taxonomic status; systematic; chromist.

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