Abstract

DEVERA, RODOLFO et al. BLASTOCYSTOSIS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS FROM INDIGENOUS  COMMUNITY OF BOLIVAR STATE, VENEZUELA . Saber [online]. 2016, vol.28, n.1, pp.73-82. ISSN 2343-6468.

Blastocystis spp. infection, known as blastocystosis, is currently the most prevalent intestinal parasitosis in Venezuela and perhaps in the world. Children are most affected and although there is a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, most are asymptomatic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in children from Itopoicon, an indigenous community in Bolívar State, Venezuela, to determine the prevalence of infection by Blastocystsis spp. and to know the main clinical manifestations. Each parent or guardian signed the informed consent. A stool sample from each individual was analyzed by direct examination, Kato, Willis and spontaneous sedimentation techniques. A clinical epidemiological record was filled for each participant and underwent clinical examination and oriented anamnesis. A group of 118 children, 69 females and 49 males of 0.1 years to 14 years old (6.31 ± 3.58 years) was evaluated. A prevalence of intestinal parasites of 84.7% was detected. Blastocystis spp. was the most common parasite with a prevalence of 67.8%. Only 14 of the 80 cases had single infection by Blastocystis spp. Of these, four were asymptomatic (28.6%). Among symptomatic children, the most frequent manifestations were diarrhea, bruxism, vomiting, nausea, weight loss and hyporexia. Clinical features found in the other 66 children cannot be attributed solely to this parasite, due to the high percentage of polyparasitism. There was no relationship between parasite load and clinical manifestations. In conclusion, a high prevalence of infection by Blastocystis spp. was determined which, together with other intestinal parasites, could be explained by the poor sanitary conditions observed in the community evaluated.  

Keywords : Blastocystis spp; epidemiology; clinical manifestations.

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