ABSTRACT

Blastocystis is a highly common parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of many different organisms. Morphology and the appropriate classification of Blastocystis spp. has only recently been resolved with molecular biological studies. This study was performed to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. among humans and to isolate the parasite from clinical specimens.

Blastocystis spp. was detected in 0.48% of the stool samples and the positive samples were cultivated in Locke-Egg Serum (LES). During passages inoculums were investigated by direct microscopy and stained with Trichrome and Iron Hematoxylene.

Vacuolar and granular forms were the most common in cultures and also the amoeboid form was observed.

LES medium may be a suitable selection for studies aiming to determine the frequency of Blastocystis spp. and for the diagnosis in routine laboratories.

Keywords: Blastocystis spp., medium, amoeboid, vacuolar, cyst, granular