Testing for Blastocystosis may prove difficult, as many people are asymptomatic but may experience problems not yet correlated with blastocystis, such as intestinal permeability or recurring yeast infections. All parasites and excessive candida have similar symptoms that including bloating, stomach cramping, constipation, gas, joint pain, and itching in or on the body, and so people with a parasitic problem may be testing or treating themselves for candida without seeing results.
The blastocystosis infection may clear out on its own, however for many people, the symptoms do not go away and only worsen. If your symptoms do not improve after 3 days, it’s time to know your options for treatment. Accurate laboratory diagnosis remains a challenge, however there are a few available testing methods.
Fecal (stool) Analysis: Looks for parasites or their eggs. Several days worth of samples may be needed to fully understand your body’s complications. At least three separate stool samples are needed before confirming a negative result. Analyzing the samples use different methods: parasites may either be stained with trichrome, which then give the central body a green or grey coloring, and the parasitic cell filling a dark red color. In the wet mount, a parasite is stained with iodine and, if it is blastocystis, appears as a large vacuole with several small nuclei surrounding it. Neither method may provide a clear visual of blastocystis, as the effects can be difficult to detect even when discolored.
Endoscopy: If the fecal analysis doesn’t show any problems, but you still have symptoms, then a tube is fit into your mouth or anus with a camera to view the health of your intestinal lining. This method is not foolproof, either.
One of the problems with identifying blastocystis is that it takes on different forms. Specific structures in the organisms have not been studied to see what effects on the body, or reactions to treatment, they have. While home treatments for parasites are available, the most thorough blastocystis analysis requires fresh stool samples, and therefore a live visit to your health care provider.
Treatment
Blastocystis is resilient at staying in the body. It’s able to hide in intestinal mucus, stick itself tightly and hold onto intestinal membranes, and could potentially morph into other forms (this is theoretical, as evidence is lacking for this claim).
While conventional medication options exist, their effectiveness for eradicating b. hominis is debated and inconclusive. The body may build resistance to treatment, while the parasite may not leave or could reoccur. Metronidazole is the most often prescribed drug for blastocystosis. This and other medications can irritate the stomach lining, cause inflammation, and risk intestinal permeability if used for extended periods of time.
For diet and supplemental considerations, see my related articles for detailed options.