Blastocystis sp. in splenic cysts: causative agent or accidental association? A unique case report

Particle and Fibre Toxicology

Heloisa Werneck de Macedo¹  Fernando Campos Sodré¹  Helena Lúcia Carneiro Santos² 

[1] Departamento de Patologia, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Niterói, RJ, Brazil;Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz/FIOCRUZ, Av. Brasil, 4365–Pavilhão Lauro Travassos, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21.045-900, Brazil

关键词: Splenic cyst;    Pathogenicity;    Immunocompetent individual;    Blastocystis spp;   

Others  :  806945
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-3305-7-207

 received in 2014-01-25, accepted in 2014-04-16,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent parasites found in human stool and has been recently considered an opportunistic emerging pathogen in immunocompromised individuals. However, cases of invasive intestinal infections and skin rashes have been attributed to infection by Blastocystis sp in immunocompetent individuals, suggesting that it is an emerging parasite with pathogenic potential.

Findings

We present a case of a 22 year old female patient who complained of pain in the left hypochondrium. Ultrasonography and abdominal computed tomography scans showed two splenic cysts. The cyst fluid analysis demonstrated numerous Blastocystis sp.; PCR and DNA sequencing analyses confirmed the presence of Blastocystis subtype 3.

Conclusions

This is, to our knowledge, the first case report of the presence of Blastocystis subtype 3 in extra-intestinal organs and is strong evidence that Blastocystis sp. is potentially pathogenic and invasive. However, further studies are required to determine the pathogenicity of the parasite.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Santos et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

Figure 2.

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