Blastocystis hominis is a parasites that causes problems in human’s digestive tract. Helicobacter pylori is a dangerous bacteria that causes gastric ulcer and may even lead to cancer. To assess the synergistic association of B hominis and H pylori with irritable bowel syndrome among patients attending hospitals of Kirkuk. A total of 344 stool samples were examined by direct examination for B hominis and detection of H pylori antigen during the period from 1st September 2016 to 1st May 2017.
The rate of infection with B. hominis was 38.66%, H. pylori 35.47%, while mixed infections were 67.2%. Infection with Blastocystis and Helicobacter were higher in females than males. Regarding IBS patients about 51.95% and 47.7% were infected with Blastocystis and Helicobacter, respectively. The main clinical symptoms associated with Blastocystis and Helicobacter were flatulence, abdominal pain and nausea. PCR amplified small-subunit rDNA was used to study the genetic diversity of Blastocystis isolates by 3 different restriction enzymes (HinfI, RsaI & Sau3AI). Three distinct genotypes out of 20 Blastocystis isolates were identified (subtypes 1, 3 and 7). The nucleotide sequencing showed that mutation occurred in subtype 3, in the region of TC in the position of T601C and of T661C and converse from ATA to ATC with reverse and forward primer.
The rate of mixed infections were greater than each infection alone. B. hominis and H. pylori was predominant in females than males. Three distinct genotypes were isolated (subtype 1, 3 and 7).