In the context of an ever-growing number of protozoon infections among school-age children, monitoring and diagnosing blastocystosis in order to improve the quality of life is an urgent problem. The parasitic invasion of Blastocystis hominis has an impact on the ecology of the internal environment of the body of children associated with the pathogenic effect and its metabolites, which is often manifested by violations of the qualitative and quantitative composition of normal and conditionally pathogenic intestinal microflora. The aim of the study was to identify the level of influence of B.hominis on the microbial endoecology of the body, with the development of dysbiotic phenomena of the large intestine. To correlate the data of the medical history of patients aged 7—17 years, confirmed by microscopic examination, the presence of various morphological forms of Blastocistis hominis in the stool preparation.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The study included 130 school-age patients (7—17 years old) who turned to specialists (gastroenterologist, pediatrician, infectious disease specialist) of GBUZ IC «Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital». Stavropol, with various gastroenterological disorders and complaints from the gastrointestinal tract. Microscopic examination of feces for the presence of B.hominis was performed using the sedimentation method, in accordance with MU4.2.3145-13. Bacteriological study of microbiocenosis was performed in accordance with regulatory documents and methodological guidelines (recommendations); MU4.2.2039-05; MR 4.2.0220-20; MUK 4.2.2959-11. All patients and their legal representatives received voluntary informed consent to participate in the study according to the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association (WMA Declaration of Helsinki Ethical Principles for Medical Research Involving Human Subjects, 2013) and the processing of personal data. The work was examined and approved by the Ethics Committee of the North Caucasus Federal University in Stavropol.
RESULTS
The study revealed that in school-age children (7—12 years old) who have an infection caused by the protozoan Blastocystis hominis, there is a violation of intestinal microbiocenosis. This is manifested by a change in the qualitative and quantitative composition of normal and conditionally pathogenic flora in the intestine. In particular, there is an increase in enterobacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli with altered enzymatic properties and fungi. At the same time, there is a decrease in the growth of E. coli with normal enzymatic properties, lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. In 85%, coprological examination revealed clear signs of putrefactive, fermenting dysbiotic process. These changes can have a negative impact on children’s health and emphasize the importance of diagnosis and treatment of Blastocystis hominis infection, as well as restoration of normal intestinal microbiocenosis to improve health and quality of life.
CONCLUSION
It is shown that in school-age children infected with blastocystosis, in 72% of cases there are violations of microbiocenosis and changes in the microbial-ecological structure of the intestine.
