Aleaga SY, Domenech CI, González RZ, Martínez IA, Martínez MIF

Language: Spanish
References: 0
Page: 29-33
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ABSTRACT

Objective: to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. and its possible association with other intestinal pathogens (parasites, bacteria, viruses) in a population of children.
Materials and Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional study was carried out on 421 children who attended outpatient consultations at the “Juan Manuel Márquez” Pediatric Hospital. In each case, the study was carried out using simple direct smear methods, modified Willis and Malloy technique and Spontaneous Tube Sedimentation Technique (TSET). In cases that presented diarrhea, co-culture and Rotavirus test (in children under five years) were performed to rule out coinfection with other biological agents.
Results: Blastocystis spp. it had a prevalence of 24,7%. In 61,5% of cases infected by Blastocystis no infection was found by other biological agents. Most symptomatic cases were associated with parasites. The presence of a number less than or equal to 10 parasite cells in 10 fields was associated with symptomatic cases and the finding of more than 10 cells was related to asymptomatic ones.
Conclusions: there are several publications made on Blastocystis spp. worldwide, but in Cuba there is little research about this parasite circumscribed to specific populations: children, immudepressed and animals, among others. Therefore, this topic must be continued and deepened by the connotation that this parasite has acquired in the current scientific debates, both nationally and internationally.