Prevalence, risk factors and comparative diagnostic study between immunofluorescence assay and ordinary staining techniques in detection of blastocystis hominis in fecal samples

Abstract EN

Blastocytis hominis (B.

hominis) is a prevalent protozoon parasite.

Difficulties in diagnostic approach to detect this parasite are still present.

Moreover, the data on its prevalence are missing in many locations and inhabitants.

This study compared between the sensitivity of immunofluorescence assay (IFA) and ordinary staining methods; Iodine, Safranine Methylene Blue (SMB), Modified Ziehl Neelsen (MZN) and Trichrome stains to identify B.

hominis infection in fecal samples and its prevalence in Zagazig City.

Full history taking and clinical examination were done for 201 cases of both sexes aged (2-50) years.

Stool samples were examined using Iodine, SMB, MZN, Trichrome and IFA stains.

B.

hominis was detected in 85 cases (42.3%), of which 52 cases were B.

hominis alone and 32 cases were asymptomatic (61.5%).

The highest prevalence (49.4%) was detected among (2-15years) age group mostly males.

IFA stain was taken as the gold standard.

The sensitivity of trichrome, MZN, iodine, SMB stains were 91.7%, 72.9%, 60%, 55.3% respectively, and specificity was 100% for all stains