Investigation of Blastocystis spp. in patients with inflammatory bowel disease by direct microscopy and molecular methods

Background: Blastocystis spp. is a single-celled, eukaryotic protozoan parasite that lives in the intestinal tract of human and animal hosts.Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Blastocystis spp.Methods: Crohn's disease (n:25), Ulcerative Colitis patients (n:30) and healthy individuals (n:30) included into the study. Stool samples were investigated by direct microscopic examination and real time PCR method.Results: Blastocystis spp. was detected in five (16.6%) of Ulcerative Colitis , one (4%) of Crohn's disease, and one (3.3%) of the healthy control group by direct microscopy. Blastocystis spp. DNA was detected in seven (23.3%) of Ulcerative Colitis, one (4%) of Crohn's disease and one (3.3%) of the healthy control group by real time PCR method.Conclusions: The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. was found to be higher in Ulcerative Colitis patients (23.3%) than in Crohn's disease (4%) and healthy controls (3.3%). According to these results, it has been shown that there may be a possible relationship between Ulcerative Colitis and Blastocystis spp.