Atypical Presentation of Blastocystis-Related Dysentery in an HIV-Infected Patient

Didi Candradikusuma,1– 3 Handono Kalim,2 Loeki Enggar Fitri,3,4 Aulia Rahmi Pawestri,3,4 Nuning Winaris,3,4 Sara Hayati,5 Syarellia Safira Putri,5 Hanifa Rizky Rahmawati,6 Maria Mardalena Martini Kaisar7,8 1Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 2Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya/Dr. Saiful Anwar General Hospital, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 3AIDS. Toxoplasma, Opportunistic Disease and Malaria Research Group, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 4Department of Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 5Bachelor of Medical Study Program, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 6Master Program in Biomedical Science, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang, East Java, Indonesia; 7Master in Biomedicine Study Program, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; 8Department of Parasitology, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia, Jakarta, IndonesiaCorrespondence: Loeki Enggar Fitri, Department of Clinical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Brawijaya, Jl. Veteran, Malang, 65145, Indonesia, Email [email protected]: Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a protozoan parasite that inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Often considered a commensal parasite, severe manifestations are uncommon and isolated. This case report describes a case of B. hominis infection in an HIV-seropositive individual manifesting as dysentery. The diagnosis was confirmed through both microscopic and quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), which proved to be highly sensitive and specific for detecting this parasite. The patient was treated with cotrimoxazole and metronidazole in addition to antiretroviral therapy. The findings underscore the importance of utilizing advanced diagnostic techniques to accurately identify B. hominis in immunocompromised patients, thereby facilitating prompt and appropriate management.Keywords: Blastocystis hominis, HIV, bloody diarrhea, qPCR