Higher amoebic and metronidazole resistant forms of Blastocystis sp. seen in schizophrenic patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common colonisers of the intestinal tract that demonstrate strong interaction with accompanying gut bacteria. Previously, the protozoan isolated from individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) showed altered phenotypic features suggesting that it can be triggered to become pathogenic. Previous studies reported altered gut microbiota and high prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in schizophrenia patients. However, the phenotypic characteristics of Blastocystis sp. isolated from individuals with SZ have yet to be described.

Methods

In this study, faecal samples from 50 patients with severe schizophrenia (SZ) and 100 non-schizophrenic (NS) individuals were screened for Blastocystis sp.

Infection

Positive isolates were subject

SUBMITTER: Franklin F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9446727 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature