Blastocystis has Low Prevalence in Infants in Ireland

Although Blastocystis prevalence is frequently reported in adults, there are few studies of Blastocystis infection in infants.  In a study published from Ireland, researchers “surveyed the prevalence and diversity of Blastocystis in an infant population (n = 59) from an industrialized country (Ireland) using Blastocystis-specific primers at three or more time-points up to 24 months old. Only three infants were positive for Blastocystis (prevalence = 5%) and this was only noted for samples collected at month 24. This rate is comparatively low relative to previously reported prevalence rates in the contemporaneous adult population.”  The work was reported in the journal Parasitology.

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