IS BLASTOCYST INVASION A COMORBID PATHOLOGY?

Abstract

Blastocystis spp. - unicellular protozoa, widespread in the human population, the clinical significance of which is being discussed. The aim and objectives of the work: to study the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in patients with gastrointestinal diseases and individuals with immunodeficiency states (HIV-positive patients), to determine the presence of specific gastrointestinal symptoms in blastocyst invasion (BI). Testing for Blastocystis spp. persons who have not been diagnosed with gastrointestinal tract disease (253) - comparison group (CG); patients who underwent inpatient or outpatient treatment for gastrointestinal diseases - GI-1 (182); people living with HIV (PLHIV) - GI-2 (294). With the consent of the patient, data on the duration of the illness and complaints were obtained. In IG-2 patients, the immune status, the level of HIV viral load, as well as the receipt and duration of antiretroviral therapy (ART) were determined. Detection rate of Blastocystis spp. in the CG was (22.9 ± 3.0)%; in GI-1 - (29.7 ± 4.0)%, in the PLHIV group - (14.3 ± 2.0)%. In the comparison group, invasion was more often detected in people 20-29 years old, in GI-1 - in people 50-60 years old, GI-2 - in 30-39 years old. Statistically significant differences in the detection of Blastocystis spp. those related to sex and age were absent in all groups. BI was most often found in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases - (43.5 ± 8.4)%. In patients with irritable bowel syndrome, the of frequency of detection of Blastocystis spp. practically did not differ from the average indicator in the GI. Identification of Blastocystis spp. in PLHIV was associated with immune status, the level of HIV viral load in the patient, and also receiving ART. The «risk group» was PLHIV with a CD4-lymphocyte count of less than 200 cells / μl, who did not receive ART. Comparison of the patient survey data and the results of the parasitological examination indicates the absence of specific complaints in BI. BI often is а comorbid pathology in inflammatory bowel diseases or immunosuppressive conditions, which should be taken into account in the therapy of such patients. Key words: blastocyst infection; gastrointestinal diseases; HIV infection.