Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) and Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) are parasites which can infect the human digestive tract. People infected with these parasites can often be asymptomatic however, common gastrointestinal symptoms that may be reported can include diarrhoea or constipation, abdominal discomfort, bloating, gas and abdominal pain. Other less common symptoms patients may present with include nausea, vomiting, headaches, dizziness, weight loss and chronic fatigue.
Enteric parasites may often be overlooked as a significant contributing factor in patients presenting with IBS-like gastrointestinal symptoms. Insensitive diagnostics, indistinct symptoms and monotherapy have contributed to misdiagnosis and the development of resistant forms of the parasites.
Treatment
It is possible to treat these infections with a combination of drugs – after which, most patients report either complete resolution or a reduction in symptoms.
High failure rates of eradication using single drugs when treating B. hominis and D. fragilis parasitic infections, led to the development of our novel combination medication regimes which may be given orally or intracolonically (via transcolonoscopic or enema infusion). We are happy to provide your doctor with information on the oral treatments that we use upon request.
References and Further Reading
Roshan, N., Clancy, A., Gunaratne, A.W., Le Busque, A., Pilarinos, D. & Borody, T.J. (2020). Two-day enema antibiotic therapy for parasite eradication and resolution of symptoms. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 26(26): 3792-3799. Doi: 10.3748/wjg.v26.i26.3792
Link to Publication: https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v26/i26/3792.htm
Le Busque, A., Gunaratne, A., Manvendra, S., Pilarinos, D., Maistry, P., Kingston-Smith, H., Clancy, A. & Borody, T. (2018). Anti-Protozoal Enema Treatment for Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis: Does Volume Matter? The American Journal of Gastroenterology, 113: S62-S63.
Link to Publication: https://journals.lww.com/ajg/Fulltext/2018/10001/Anti_Protozoal_Enema_Treatment_for_Blastocystis.116.aspx
Ibrahim, A.N., Al-Ashkar, A.M. & Nazeer, J.T. (2018). Additional Glance on the Role of Dientamoeba fragilis & Blastocystis hominis in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Iranian Journal of Parasitology, 13(1): 100-107.
Link to Publication: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6019581/pdf/IJPA-13-100.pdf
Nagel, R.A. (2015). Are Blastocystis species clinically relevant to humans? Thesis, University of Queensland, School of Veterinary Science.
Link to Publication: https://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:381376
NSW Health. (2015). Communicable Diseases Factsheet: Blastocystis hominis fact sheet. NSW Government. Page accessed 15/12/20.
Link to Publication: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Factsheets/blastocystis-hominis.pdf
NSW Health. (2015). Communicable Diseases Factsheet: Dientamoeba fragilis fact sheet. NSW Government. Page accessed 15/12/20.
Link to Publication: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/dientamoeba-fragilis.aspx
Borody, T.J., Wettstein, A., Benstock, S., Nowak, A., Torres, M., Campbell, J., Finlayson, S., Le Busque, A., Grippi, D. & Baker, J. (2012). Single Transcolonoscopic Infusion of Three Anti-Protozoal Agents for Difficult Blastocystis Hominis Infections. Poster United European Gastroenterology Week, October 20-24, The Netherlands.
Link to Poster: https://cdn.ueg.eu/uegfolga-web/uegf-ep-mat059/P0895.pdf
Wettstein, A., Borody, T., Wee, T., Torres, M. & Ketheeswaran, S. (2009). Novel Intra-colonic Infusion of three anti-parasite agents for resistant Blastocystis hominis infections. Abstract UEGW 2009 London
Link to Publication: https://journals.lww.com/ajg/fulltext/2011/10002/intra_colonic_infusion_of_anti_parasite_agents_for.421.aspx
Johnson, E.H., Windsor, J.J. & Clark, G. (2004). Emerging from Obscurity: Biological, Clinical, and Diagnostic Aspects of Dientamoeba fragilis. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 17(3): 553-570. doi: 10.1128/CMR.17.3.553-570.2004
Link to Publication: https://cmr.asm.org/content/17/3/553
