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BLASTOCYSTIS SP. IN SPLENIC CYSTS: CAUSATIVE AGENT OR ACCIDENTAL ASSOCIATION? A UNIQUE CASE REPORT
Affilliation
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz. Instituto Oswaldo Cruz. Laboratório de Avaliação e Promoção da Saúde Ambiental. Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade Federal Fluminense. Departamento de Patologia. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade Federal Fluminense. Departamento de Patologia. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade Federal Fluminense. Departamento de Patologia. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Universidade Federal Fluminense. Departamento de Patologia. Niterói, RJ, Brasil.
Abstract
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.
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