Researchers report on a study of 380 symptomatic and symptomatic patients at a clinic in Sebha, Libya, an agricultural community which relies on well water for drinking. The overall prevalence of Blastocystiswas 22%, assessed by stool culture. A sample of 64 cultures showed that subtype 1 was most prevalent (51.1%), followed by subtype 2 (24.4%) and subtype 3 (17.8%). Subtypes 1 and 2 were associated with having a lower educational level (p=0.034 and 0.008); subtype 1 was associated with the female gender (p=0.009). None of the subtype infections was associated with abdominal pain. Subtype 3 infection was associated with diarrhea (p=0.008), but not subtype 1 or 2 infections. View
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Mar 2015