Detection of blastocystis in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objectives: Blastocystis are among the most common parasites in the human intestine, that can be accompanied by intestinal symptoms, or be asymptomatic, and can cause manifestations outside the intestine, such as urticaria. Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is defined as a spontaneous wheal, with or without angioedema, that persists for more than six weeks, without a known cause. Chronic infections, particularly intestinal parasites, are possible causes of CSU. The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of blastocystis in stool samples of CSU patients, in comparing with a group of healthy controls.Materials and methods: This study was conducted at the Dermatology Hospital at Damascus University, between October 2020 and December 2021, on (80) patients, who were diagnosed CSU, their ages ranged from 12 to 65 years, and on (45) healthy people (control group). All patients and controls gave a stool sample, and the samples were examined visually and microscopically (directly, and after staining with Lugol's solution), in order to detect blastocystis and other pathological findings.Results: In the group of patients, females were 73.75%, compared to 26.25% males. Cases of CSU were concentrated in the age group (20-49 years), with a rate of 76.25%. The percentage of blastocystis in the stool samples of CSU patients was 15%, and in the control group 8.89%, the difference was statistically insignificant (P = 0.326). CSU cases positive for blastocystis were concentrated in the age group (20-49 years), with a rate of 75%. Intestinal manifestations were found in 58.33% of the positive blastocystis in the CSU group, with abdominal pain and diarrhea being the most frequent.Conclusion: Blastocystis should be considered as a possible cause in patients with CSU, and investigations for their detection in stool samples of these patients should be routinely performed.