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Biomedical subjects

M P Udkow

Publications and source records attributed to M P Udkow.

7 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Blastocystis hominis: prevalence in asymptomatic versus symptomatic hosts.

Blastocystis hominis, other protozoans, and fecal leukocytes were tabulated on trichrome-stained fecal smears from 182 asymptomatic and 125 symptomatic control patients. No statistically significant difference in prevalence of B. hominis was found between the asymptomatic study group and the symptomatic control group; the clinical profile of subjects with B. hominis and those not infected was similar, and no correlation was found between the presence of B. hominis and that of fecal leukocytes. High concentrations of B. hominis were more frequent and more nonpathogenic protozoa were found in symptomatic patients than in those who were asymptomatic.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1986

Blastocystis hominis: pathogen or fellow traveler?

Blastocystis hominis, an intestinal organism of uncertain taxonomic position, has long been considered nonpathogenic. Some recent studies suggest, however, that it may be associated with diarrhea and may respond to treatment with iodoquinol or metronidazole. To investigate this possibility, we identified 148 persons whose stools contained this organism. Of this number, 32 had at least 6 stool examinations performed. Twenty-seven of the 32 persons were later found to have greater than or equal to 1 recognized pathogens--Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia or Dientamoeba fragilis--and, after receiving appropriate therapy, became asymptomatic. The B hominis infection, however, was unaffected by therapy. Five persons with only B. hominis infection were treated with iodoquinol without effect; these persons fulfilled the medical criteria for irritable bowel syndrome. We believe that when an apparently symptomatic B. hominis infection responds to therapy, the improvement probably represents elimination of some other undetected organism causing the infection.

Diarrhea↗