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My name is Jackie, and I live near Sydney in NSW, Australia.
Badbugs came about three years after I became infected with D.fragilis and Blastocystis hominis. For seven years Sydney specialists advised me that Dientamoeba fragilis is not a problem. My chronic and disabling symptoms were misdiagnosed as Irritable Bowel Syndrome. An account of my battle to regain my health is documented here.
The work associated with the site takes up many hours of my day.
A selection of comments from people I've helped over the past decade can be read here.
Approximately four years after setting up this site, and having spent at least three to four hours daily writing detailed replies, I decided to request a small donation in return for a response within 48 hours. ...
This explains why the treatment info. is not included on this site:
The large volume of e-mail received over the past decade has helped build a comprehensive view of the diagnostic and prescribing habits of health professionals globally. I suspect that most people would not bother to contact if the treatment information was posted here, which means this site would not exist in its present form.
To make a donation please click on the button below.
This link will take you to PayPal, a secure on-line merchant site for transferring money. A suggested amount is $AUD25 (currency converter). Your donation will ensures that you receive a response within 48 hours.
If you do not wish to donate and are willing to wait up to 3 weeks for a response, please click on the Make a Donation button below and copy and paste the badbugs email address at the top of the page into your email client.
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Blastocystis hominis,
Persistent, recurrent, intermittent shedding, inconsistent lab testing.
http://www.badbugs.org/Blastocystis_hominis/bh_lab_testing.htm
Blasto's ability to cause symptoms has been questioned by the medical establishment since its discovery in the early 1900s. Sufferers are often advised that their infection is not causing their symptoms
As B.hominis is the most common faecal parasite seen at both Aberystwyth
PHL and Swansea PHL in the UK, we feel that the CDSC figures do not reflect the true incidence of B.hominis in England and Wales. Indeed, all 139 reports of B. hominis reported to CDSC
Wales in 2000 were detected by our two laboratories (unpublished data). We believe that this can be attributed to laboratory awareness and the use of suitable methodologies.
JJ Windsor, et al
British Journal of Biomedical Science 2001; 58: 129-130
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A study carried out at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2001 found the incidence of Blasto. was more than 40% in those diagnosed with Irritable
Bowel Syndrome. (unpublished data).
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"It took us four years to finally convince medical doctors to test our 30 year old daughter for parasites with a lab that was more reliable than the traditional quick stool sample (which just showed her with "non-pathogenic entameobacoli cysts".
We finally tested her with the ELISA Test at the Diagnos-Techs Lab in Kent, Washington, near Seattle. It requires several stool samples on different days, plus some saliva samples, and is purported to be 99% accurate. Bingo! It showed her with Giardia, Candida overgrowth, Toxoplasmosis, and Blasto."
received December 2004 - USA
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Medical literature shows that detection of Blastocystis hominis increases significantly when THREE fecal samples, collected in jars which contain liquid fixative. According to medical literature three samples are 70% - 83% accurate. ... Ten samples is 90-100% diagnostic. (Kean & Malloch, 1966).
The fixative prevents morphological changes once the parasite leaves it's host. These changes can render the parasite unrecognisable by the the lab, resulting in a false-negative.
Accurate identification of Blastocystis hominis requires special laboratory staining methods. These stains are not routinely used by Australian or UK laboratories ...
Molecular typing of B. hominis has revealed extensive genetic diversity in morphologically identical strains and thus detection by microscopy alone may not be sufficient to confirm the role of this organism in human disease.
Br J Biomed Sci 2002;59(3):154-7
"Great Smokies* / USA did not find the Blasto.
In the Turkey lab. it took them 10 minutes.
During 3 days those people tested 3-4 times, all positive."
R. (USA - travelled to Turkey for further testing)
July 2004
Please note that the statement above is not a reflection on Great Smokies Labs.
Testing at reputable labs is no guarantee the parasite will show up at the time of testing. A 1966 study on previously diagnosed infections with Dientamoeba fragilis found three samples is diagnostic 70-83% of the time. Ten samples is 90-100% diagnostic. (Kean & Malloch, 1966). For more info. see "intermittent shedding"
"I sent stool samples to Quest Diagnostics (a huge laboratory chain in the US that most medical doctors use) and to a parasitologist**, samples taken from THE SAME BOWEL MOVEMENTS and the private parasitologist found blasto and Quest found nothing"
received 21 Oct 2002
Intermittent shedding:
The number of parasites present in fecal samples fluctuates widely on a daily basis. On some days the number of parasites excreted in feces may be too low for detection by lab technicians. Many of those with Blasto. who contact this site, as well as the author of this site, have experienced alternating negative and positive results due to intermittent shedding.
Recurrent infection.
B., from the UK, was diagnosed with Blasto. hominis. Over two years she tried a number o different drug treatments. After each treatment she tested positive for Blasto. After the last treatment, a combination of the drugs Furazolidone, Secnidazole and Nitazoxanide, Blasto. disappeared for a total of 8 months. Because of ongoing, albeit reduced symptoms, B. was tested a total of seven times, each batch comprised 3 stool samples collected in liquid fixative and tested by a with a reputable lab. Blasto. hominis showed up in the seventh batch. Some of the previously negative samples had been purged. ...
"Great Smokies Lab tested me, and Giardia did not show up until the 12th stool culture."
Another woman tested positive to Giardia in the 12th stool sample.
She also tested positive to Blasto. only after finishing tinidazole for Giardia!
A US woman was tested "many times".
Blastocystis hominis showed up in the 12th stool sample of the fourth batch samples sent for testing to a reputable lab. ..
Rectal Swabbing (Anoscopy)
Another method of parasite detection is, anoscopy or rectal swabbing. This technique involves scraping inside the rectum area with a small brush, preserving the contents in liquid fixative, and sending the samples to a reputable laboratory for testing.
Anoscopy is claimed by doctors who use it to be far superior in the detection of Blastocystis hominis when combined with stool sampling. The number of doctors who use this method are few and it's effectiveness as a technique for diagnosing parasites is generally disputed by medical experts. However, there have been a number of reports to this site of people who tested positive to Blastocystis hominis and other parasites only by this method. ...
L was diagnosed was diagnosed with Blasto. and E.histolytica via rectal swab:
" I have had many many stool tests, and non of them have shown the parasites. The only tests that were positive was a rectal swab which showed the cysts of Blasto. hominus and e.histo., an amoeba"
(Feb 2002). ...
"A microbiologist at the public lab here in Ontario advised me that they will never report blasto when they find it. however, she talked with her supervisor and told me that if my doctor phoned, they would advise him if Blasto was found in my most recent samples."
Although US labs are now required by law to use the specific tests necessary for detection of Blasto. hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis, and to report their presence when found, this is not the case in many other countries.
The majority Australian, New Zealand, Canadian, UK and labs in other European countries do not employ the specific types of testing methods, nor do they employ technicians skilled in the detection of these parasites. Many of these labs do not report the presence of Blasto. hominis when detected in stool samples.
Specialised testing is not routinely used for patients with digestive disorders. The majority of those with digestive symptoms are misdiagnosed as suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome. ...
Many doctors believe that that Flagyl is the "gold standard" treatment for bowel infection. This theory is not supported by published literature. ..
M. tested positive five times for Blasto. in recent years by a lab in Brisbane, Australia. They confided that the opposition path. lab " does not even mention Blasto. to the referring doctor when they find it as they class it non important." Her positive test was not much help to M. as her doctors do not believe the Blasto. is the cause of her symptoms of bloating, fatigue, nausea and irritable bowel. Her physician considered her symptoms resulted from depression and a anxiety disorder. She was prescribed anti-depressants meds.
R. is a Canadian infected with the parasite Entamoeba histolytica.
In November 2003 he contacted the author of this site:
"I won’t bore you with all the Flagyl misadventures, which are very similar to the stories already on your site. I was treated with the stuff for Entamoeba hystolica three times with no success before I found a new doctor who followed the course with 20 days of yodoxin (diodoquin in Canada). Test results finally came back neg for EH. Much rejoicing, until the nurse mentioned, just by the way, there were some other things found that are no considered pathogenic. Suspicious as I was by this point, I asked him for the names of the other things found. This was the first time I had ever heard of blastocystis, and this was a year into my treatment!"
Failure to report the presence of Blasto. was documented by the Canadian Centre for Disease Control in 2001: ....
If you haven't already done so, ask your doctor to test you for parasites using three samples preserved in liquid fixative. If your doctor will not agree,
the labs listed on the help page use the specific stool collection and testing methods necessary to detect both Blasto. and D.fragilis. If you are having problems
finding a Dr willing to help contact the author of this site for advice.
http://www.badbugs.org/parasite/contact.htm
[NONE are listed in Canada]
NOTE: Parasites adhere to the bowel.
Using a special laxative helps force parasites out of the bowel and increases the detection rate.
Purging info. available here
http://www.badbugs.org/parasite/purged_testing.htm
.. The following products are proven not to interfere with test results:
Fleets Phospho-Soda, Golytely, Nulytely (USA and Canada), Picoprep (Australia), Picosulphate (UK), and Klean-prep (European, African and Middle, Far Eastern countries and Canada). ..
Randomly select small pieces from the last portion of the stool. Studies have shown more parasites reside in the last half of the stool than the first half.
Ingestion of some products prior to collection of faecal sample may interfere with the detection of parasites. These include tetracyclines, sulfonamides, antiprotozoal agents, laxatives, antacids, castor oil, magnesium hydroxide, barium sulphate, bismuth kaolin compounds, hypertonic salts, mineral supplements, anti-parasitic herbs, antibiotics, antacids, antidiarrheals, enemas, and intestinal radiocontrast agents may interfere with recovery of the parasite. All of these should be avoided 3 weeks before submitting samples. ...
(More info. on testing for parasites is also available on the
D.fragilis section of the site)
http://www.badbugs.org/dfragilis/lab_testing.htm
COMMENTS, see many more on the Contact page and elsewhere, on the site.
TREATING B. HOMINIS AND D. FRAGILIS:
A three drug treatment has been shown in a clinical setting as more than 85% effective against B. hominis and D. fragilis.
The following are examples of people cured of their Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis with the three drug treatment. Most had been advised that Blasto. was not causing their symptoms, and most were misdiagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and left without hope of recovery. They are proof that the majority of Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis infections are treatable with the right drug combination. ...
J., from Canada, returned from a Jamaican holiday feeling ill and weak, and suffering " bad headaches on the right side of my head that I felt as if I was having a stroke. I am only 27 years old and I felt like I was 80. I was weak, light headed, I had a low grade fever, terrible stomach cramps, I lost my appetite, could not sleep, I was losing weight, dizziness and light-headedness.". Within a few weeks his weight dropped 20lbs (approx 10 kilos). Overall he lost 50lbs (22 kilos).
When J. failed to respond to Ciproflaxin he was treated twice with Flagyl.
His response was typical - a very brief reduction in symptoms.
It was at that point that J. discovered this site.
Based on the information on the Lab Testing page he asked his Dr to arrange specialised stool testing. B.hominis was diagnosed.
Preferring to try natural therapies J. decided on a course of the anti-parasitic herbs berberine, ginger and wormwood. When these failed to relieve his symptoms J's Dr prescribed Iodoquinol (3x650mg daily), Flagyl (4x500mg daily) and Septrin Forte for 10 days. The treatment provided only temporary relief - within a few weeks of finishing the treatment she was sick again.
His Dr advised "we are no longer going to be treating this condition as Blasto but rather he wanted to look other causes since he thought that Blasto. could not have lasted through this treatment and could not give me symptoms for so long. He has spoken to the Infectious / Tropical Disease department here in Calgary as well as with the Travel Medical Clinic and they agree with his decision. They all feel that I must have IBS or Colitis since this has been going for four months now. I am very upset about this but I do not know what else to do. They want me to go for a colonoscopy in the next couple weeks to see what is going on inside of me as well they want me to do for even more blood, urine & stool tests."
The colonoscopy did not reveal any other reason for his symptoms.
Eventually E. obtained the three drug treatment — shown in a clinical setting as more than 85% effective. Two years after taking the three drug treatment he sent this:
Hi Jackie, I don't know if you remember me or not but I am from Calgary, Alberta, Canada and I spoke to you a couple years ago about my Blasto. and I went down to Mexico to buy the drugs to treat myself that you had suggested since they were not approved in Canada and I was getting no where with my doctors.
Well all that I can say is that at this point in time I am feeling amazing. Still doing 100% and have had no signs of the parasite since June of 2005. I still take Acidophilus and coconut water as well as Glutamine though. I am also still having trouble digesting nuts but everything else is back to normal. I'm sure that having the parasite for almost a year did a lot damage but for the most part things are normal. I can honestly say that I have never felt so healthy in my life. I am 30 years old but feel like I am 21.
L, from the US, first contacted in August 2005.
He had 'fatigue, low energy levels, soft stool" and "poor memory/mental fogginess"...
His GP sought the opinion of two specialist gastroenterologists.
The advice was that B.hominis is harmless and therefore does not need treating.
His GP prescribed 750mg of Flagyl 3 x daily for seven days in case of undiagnosed Giardia. When nausea and vomiting forced L. to stop the treatment, he was prescribed 2 x 250mg pills of tinidazole for 4 days, reducing to 125mg twice daily for one month. Although L's symptoms improved whilst on the treatment, a few weeks after stopping he relapsed. Although one unfixed sample was negative after the treatment, Blasto. was found in another sample tested a few weeks later.
He also tried a range of natural therapies:
"a 7 days water fast, a 7 day herbal cleansing fast with enemas; Parasitin (herbal parasite cleanse) for one month and Paragone (herbal parasite cleanse); oil of oregano and colonics".
and was still Blasto. positive.
Finally, in November 2006 he went on the triple therapy, and three months later sent this:
"It has been almost 3 months since I took the 3 meds for blasto.
I waited 8 weeks before getting retested and 3 samples to a local lab, as well as 3 to Genova diagnostics lab (Great Smokies) have all come back negative for parasites. I got the results from the latter today. I did however have high amounts of bad bacteria (citrobacter freundii, enterobacter cloacae, and klebsiella pneumoniae). I'll be taking probiotics to help with that.
In any event, my symptoms are about 90% improved.
As others on your site have said, I feel like I have my life back again. I am so grateful for your help. For almost 2 years I suffered a great deal from the parasite... I can't say that it wasn't without meaning because I now try to think of my life as an opportunity to be of service to others. That was made possible because of your kind service to me. Thank you so much for all of your help. The work you do is so kind."
(US, April 2007)
Cathy recovered from a long term Blasto. infection with the same three drug treatment. She was still positive for B.hominis after two treatments with Ciproflaxin, five days of Tinidazole, seven days of Flagyl and twice daily doses of 500mg Nitazoxanide for 28 days. ...
Poppy's story:, from Melbourne, Australia.
http://www.badbugs.org/PoppysStory.html
I have spent literally thousands on medical bills, naturopathic treatments, herbal supplements, nutritional advice, herbal remedies, exclusion diets, colonic irrigation, ayurvedic and chinese medicine consultations and allergy tests.
My symptoms were largely related to what appeared to be dysbiosis: bloating, poor digestion, alternating bouts of diarrhoea and constipation, depression, mood wings, vicious cravings for starches and sugars and an all-round feeling of lethargy and heaviness. I was diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, chronic fatigue, candida-related complex, depression, leaky-gut syndrome and liver dysfunction. I stopped menstruating four years ago, and my libido completely disappeared. The gastrointestinal symptoms would come and go, but worsened over time. I found that the only relief gained from the symptoms was when I cut out reactive foods (the list became longer and longer as the years went by) or if I stopped eating altogether. I became hooked on laxatives, and believe that my desperation to halt the ongoing problem was a key factor in my subsequent development of an eating disorder.
The symptoms persisted, to the point that I was compelled to come home in the middle of an overseas trip this year to sort it out. My stomach had ballooned to the size of a pregnant woman's, I experienced nausea from time-to-time and I was incredibly low on energy. I was battling severe crying spells and depression, coupled with shocking indigestion. I realised I needed some comprehensive stool tests done, in order to ascertain once and for all what was causing my ill-health.
I contacted an excellent clinic in Melbourne who practice Integrative Medicine, and after a series of parasitology tests, was finally diagnosed with blastocystis hominis. Incredibly, despite all of the reactions I have had to several foodstuffs over the years, all allergy tests came back negative.
My doctor advised me to try a herbal remedy to begin with, but after two weeks I was not getting any better, and this is when I found the BadBugs site. After contacting Jackie, she provided me with details of a course of non-herbal anti-parasitic drugs, ...
The ten-day treatment was exhausting, but the results have been incredible.
My bloating has disappeared entirely, my digestion is normalising, and I am able to tolerate small amounts of foods I previously couldn't touch. What is even more impressive is the complete eradication of all the mental fogginess, mood wings and general lethargy. I have so much more energy, and am so thrilled to be almost back to my usual self! I feel myself very lucky to have been in contact with both my doctor and Jackie.
A prominent Melbourne gastroenterologist I saw was incredulous that blastocystis was the cause of my problems, and simply prescribed me a course of anti-spasmodics. When I reported I was feeling so much better after treatment, he only replied 'hmmmm'. Many doctors evidently feel exactly the same way, which makes it tremendously difficult for people who know they are ill, but cannot find any answers or support. I am still completely amazed at how rapidly I have returned to a state of health and happiness, ... Not agonising daily over unresolved health issues has freed up so much energy and time! ..
A., from Montreal in Canada, is HIV positive and also positive for B.hominis.
For ten months he suffered typical Blasto. symptoms of abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, belching, occasional nausea, mushy stools, constipation, gas, restlessness, fatigue and impaired concentration.
Stool tests revealed that Blasto. survived 10 days of Flagyl (750mg 3 x daily), followed by a combination of Iodoquinol and doxycline.
Because of these drug failures he was advised by doctors that nothing more could be done to alleviate his chronic and debilitating symptoms.
A. requested details of the three drug treatment:
"Even though my cd4 is at 525 which is pretty good, my viral load is pretty high. ..."
A. was prescribed the three drug treatment. Seven weeks after finishing the treatment he wrote to tell me that he was free of the symptoms which had plagued him for 10 months, and his samples were clear of B.hominis. ...
(May 2006, Canada)
Peter, from Brisbane Australia, wrote to say that he was "walking around with a big smile" on his face because the three drug treatment had relieved him of forty years of "loose bowel motions, diarrhoea, mucus wind and bowel discomfort".
Prior to taking the three drug treatment he was still positive for B. hominis after taking a course of Flagyl, followed by two 10 day treatment of Flagyl and Septrin combined.
"I saw your site about a year ago. and because of it I had a feces test and Blasto was present. The doctor gave me Flagyl and as you described I had a period where things went really well, and the subsequent test came up negative. Since then I have had two courses of Flagyl and Septrin, the most recent being six weeks ago. The results this time were most noticeable. I started doing things that I had never done before. My life was completely changed. About a week ago symptoms have started to return - discomfort and mucus. My doctor doesn't seem to mind me having repeat doses of Flagyl and Septrin but that hardly seems appropriate."
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April 2006
Blastocystis hominis, from Jennifer Miller's site, above
A member of the complex group of protozoa called stramenopiles (along with other protistes such as brown algae and diatoms), B. hominis is not proven to be an infectious agent. ...
Blastocystis hominis has previously been considered as yeasts, fungi, or ameboid, flagellated, or sporozoan protozoa. Recent molecular studies dealing with the sequence information on the complete SSUrRNA gene, however, have placed B. hominis with an informal group: the stramenopiles (Silberman et al. 1996). Stramenopiles include unicellular and multicellular protistes including brown algae, diatoms, chrysophytes, water molds, slime nets, etc. (Patterson, 1994).
History of Discovery:
B. hominis was first described in 1911, but may have been mistaken for “cholera bodies” as early as 1949. B. hominis was thought to be a yeast or a fungus until 1996, when a small piece of ribosomal RNA analysis placed it in the group of protozoa known as stramenopiles. Aside from resemblance of its rRNA, B. hominis does not share many similarities with the other stramenopiles. More recent analysis support the Stramenopile classification.
Morphology:
The vacuolated form (that is found in stool samples used for diagnostics) is the most common form found in the host. Unicellular, it is 5-30 microns in diameter, with the usual range being 8-10 microns. Blastocystis is usually spherical, oval, or ellipsoidal, with usually one, but sometimes two to four nuclei located in the rim of the cytoplasm. In bi-nucleated cells, the two nuclei might be at opposite poles. Cells contain a large central body, or vacuole, with a thin rim of cytoplasm around the periphery. Occasionally, a ring of granules can be found in the cytoplasm, and the cell appears to have a “beaded” rim.
At least five other forms are said to exist, many of which can also be found in the fecal material of infected individuals.
Life Cycle:
The life cycle of blastocystis remains poorly understood. Through experimentation done by Stenzel and Boreham (5), it has been suggested that binary fission is the only possible means of reproduction. The avacuolar cell, without a surface coat, is swallowed and travels to the intestines. As it travels through the intestines, it morphs into its multivacuolar form, which has a thick surface coat. The cyst develops beneath the coat, which then sloughs off. The cyst is the probable infectious agent, and the cycle begins again with ingestion of the cyst. Excystation, probably induced by stomach acids, changes the cyst back into the avacuolar cell without a surface coat found in the intestines in the beginning of the life cycle. An amoeboid form is thought to exist, but its place in the life cycle is not well known, and possibly arises from the avacuolar form.
Diagnostic Tests:
B. hominis is usually diagnosed by microscopic examination of fecal material stained with iodine or trichrome. Permanent stained smear is preferred because fecal debris might be mistaken for the organism in wet preparations. Both ELISSA and fluorescent-antibody tests have been shown to detect the serum antibody in a limited number of tests.
http://www2.provlab.ab.ca/bugs/webbug/parasite/artifact/bhominis.htm
-A website to assist microscopists in the differentiation of clinically important parasites from artifact material regularly seen in fecal samples and specimens from other body sites. Good pictures of different types of stains for B. hominis diagnosis.
[Alberta Provincial Laboratories: This page is no longer hosted.]
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