Given the variable agreement regarding the pathogenicity of Blastocystis, there is no consensus as to which patients, if any, should undergo treatment for Blastocystis infection. Apart from medications, the use of the probiotic yeast Saccharomyces boulardii and garlic at specific doses and concentrations have been equally as effective.
Unquestionably practitioners and patients find this subject challenging. Given the variable agreement regarding the pathogenicity of Blastocystis, there is no consensus as to which patients should undergo treatment for Blastocystis infection. In the asymptomatic individual, treatment is not necessarily indicated. Isolation of Blastocystis in stool from a symptomatic individual should lead to a thorough investigation for other causes of the gastrointestinal complaints before engaging in interventions.
A paper published in Clinical Infectious Diseases in 2012, provides some further clarifications and differential diagnostic determinants.[1]
Reference
[1] Coyle CM, Varughese J, Weiss LM, Tanowitz HB. Blastocystis: to treat or not to treat… Clin Infect Dis. 2012 Jan 1;54(1):105-10 View Full Paper
