Skip to main content
Log in

Elucidation of the life cycle of the intestinal protozoanBlastocystis hominis

  • Short Communication
  • Published:
Parasitology Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper elucidates the status of the different morphological forms ofBlastocystis and reports the existence of thin-and thick-walled cysts inB. hominis on the basis of current experimental evidence. It is suggested that the thin-walled cysts are autoinfectious, leading to multiplication of the organism in the intestinal tract. The thick-walled cysts are responsible for external transmission via the faecal-oral route. A life cycle forB. hominis is postulated on the basis of these findings.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

References

  • Boreham PFL, Stenzel DJ (1993)Blastocystis in humans and animals: morphology, biology, and epizootiology. Adv Parasitol 32:1–70

    Google Scholar 

  • Dunn LA, Boreham PFL, Stenzel DJ (1989) Ultrastructural variation ofBlastocystis hominis stocks in culture. Int J Parasitol 19:43–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Matsumoto Y, Yamada M, Yoshida Y (1987) Light microscopical appearance and ultrastructure ofBlastocystis hominis, an intestinal parasite of man. Zentralbl Bakteriol Mikrobiol Hyg [A] 264:379–385

    Google Scholar 

  • McClure HM, Strobert EA, Healy GR (1980)Blastocystis in a pigtailed macaque: a potential enteric pathogen for nonhuman primates. Lab Animal Sci 30:890–894

    Google Scholar 

  • McConnachie EW (1969) The morphology, formation and development of cysts ofEntamoeba. Parasitology 59:41–53

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehlhorn H (1988)Blastocystis hominis, Brumpt 1912: are there different stages or species? Parasitol Res 74:393–395

    Google Scholar 

  • Schuster F (1963) An electron microscope study of the amoeboflagellate,Naegleria gruberi (Schardinger). 11. The cyst stage. J Protozool 10:313–320

    Google Scholar 

  • Silard R, Burghelea B (1985) Ultrastructural aspects ofBlastocystis hominis strain resistant to antiprotozoal drugs. Arch Roum Pathol Exp Microbiol 44:73–85

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenzel DJ, Boreham PFL (1991) A cyst-like stage ofBlastocystis hominis. Int J Parasitol 21:613–615

    Google Scholar 

  • Stenzel DJ, Boreham PFL (1993) Ultrastructure ofBlastocystis hominis. J Comput Assist Microsc 5:13–16

    Google Scholar 

  • Suresh K, Ng GC, Ramachandran NP, Ho LC, Yap EH, Singh M (1993) In vitro encystment and experimental infections ofBlastocystis hominis. Parasitol Res 79:456–460

    Google Scholar 

  • Suresh K, Howe J, Chong SY, Ng GC, Ho LC, Loh AK, Ramachandran NP, Yap EH, Singh M (1994a) Ultrastructural changes during in vitro encystment ofBlatocystis hominis. Parasitol Res 80:327–335

    Google Scholar 

  • Suresh K, Howe J, Ng GC, Ho LC, Ramachandran NP, Loh AK, Yap EH, Singh M (1994b) A multiple fission-like mode of asexual reproduction inBlastocystis hominis. Parasitol Res 80:523–527

    Google Scholar 

  • Suresh K, Ng GC, Ho LC, Yap EH, Singh M (1994c) Differentiation of the various stages ofBlastocystis hominis by acridine orange staining. Int J Parasitol 24:605–606

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan HK, Zierdt CH (1973) Ultrastructure ofBlastocystis hominis. Z Parasitenkd 42:315–324

    Google Scholar 

  • Thepsuparungsikul V, Seng L, Bailey GB (1971) Differentiation ofEntamoeba: encystation ofE. invadens in monoxenic and axenic cultures. J Protozool 57:1288–1292

    Google Scholar 

  • Yoshikawa H, Yamada M, Yoshida Y (1988) Freeze-fracture study ofBlastocystis hominis. J Protozool 35:522–528

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH (1973) Studies ofBlastocystis hominis. J Protozool 20:114–121

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH (1988)Blastocystis hominis, a long misunderstood intestinal parasite. Parasitol Today 4:15–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH (1991)Blastocystis hominis — past and future. Clin Microbiol Rev 4:15–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH, Williams RL (1974)Blastocystis hominis: axenic cultivation. Exp Parasitol 36:233–243

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH, Rude WS, Bull BS (1967) Protozoan characteristics ofBlastocystis hominis. Am J Clin Pathol 48:495–501

    Google Scholar 

  • Zierdt CH, Donnolley CT, Muller J, Constantopoulos G (1988) Biochemical and ultrastructural study ofBlastocystis hominis. J Clin Microbiol 26:965–970

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Singh, M., Suresh, K., Ho, L.C. et al. Elucidation of the life cycle of the intestinal protozoanBlastocystis hominis . Parasitol Res 81, 446–450 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931510

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00931510

Keywords

Navigation