GI Map Blastocystis hominis Parasite

Blastocystis was first identified in 1911 and it has been compared to the likes of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which people may be a little more aware of.

 

Blastocystis is interesting because many doctors still do not consider Blasto to be pathogenic (i.e. a problematic in humans).

 

But there is a large body of evidence demonstrating its challenging opportunistic nature.

 

According to the late Dr. Stanley Weinberger, a renowned parasite expert, Blastocystis hominis was one of the most problematic and tenacious infections he encountered with his patients. Weinberger wrote a book called Parasites: An Epidemic in Disguise.

 

I think the key is to consider this parasite alongside the individual context. What about the levels of vitality and function in the rest of the gut and body – eg immune, inflammation, nutrient status, toxicity, etc. That is why certain organisms take the ‘opportunity’, which can lead to more physiological challenges in the body.

 

Yet, this parasite is certainly not classified as an out and out pathogen. There can be huge variations in the how a person may be functioning and what they are experiencing with varied levels of this parasite present.

When this finding comes back on a comprehensive gut test we consider it a piece of the puzzle. An important finding to evaluate alongside the bigger picture.

 

We’ll be focussed on what that person is actually experiencing, their timeline, medical history and other markers of inflammation, toxicity and pathogenicity.

If we don’t acknowledge it, we may miss a vital piece of information.

 

Consider the number of people who have been diagnosed with ‘IBS’, which is essentially a descriptive term, rather than an identification of causes and mechanisms of the symptoms.

 

There are classic symptoms under the IBS banner.

 

And here are the common presentations of Blasto:

– Abdominal pain, usually an ache rather than acute cramping, but cramping can occur in severe cases

– Flatulence

– Diarrhoea

– Gurgling tummy

– Constipation

– Nausea

– Fever

– Rashes

– Itching

– Even Arthritis – Blastocystis has been located in synovial fluid in joints and may cause swelling and inflammation.

 

So – rather than narrow and limit our insight into what is going on in the gut, we broaden the possibilities, assessments and questions we are asking so that we can support the ability to find out:

 

1 – any we feel the way we feel

2 – what we can do about it

 

Jack