Blastocystis
Blastocystis
Blastocystis (pronounced: blas-toe-sis-tis) is a genus of single-celled parasitic organisms known to infect humans and a wide range of animals. The term "Blastocystis" is derived from the Greek words "blastos" meaning sprout and "kystis" meaning cyst, referring to the organism's life cycle stages.
Etymology
The term "Blastocystis" was first coined in the early 20th century. It is derived from the Greek words "blastos" meaning sprout and "kystis" meaning cyst. This name was chosen to reflect the organism's life cycle stages, which include both a cystic form and a form that appears to sprout or grow.
Classification
Blastocystis is classified under the phylum Stramenopiles, which also includes organisms such as diatoms, brown algae, and oomycetes. Within this phylum, Blastocystis is further classified under the class Blastocystea.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of Blastocystis involves several stages, including a cyst stage and a trophozoite stage. The cyst is the infectious stage, which is typically ingested through contaminated food or water. Once inside the host, the cyst transforms into the trophozoite stage, which is the active, feeding, and reproducing stage of the parasite.
Symptoms and Treatment
Infection with Blastocystis, known as Blastocystosis, can cause a range of symptoms, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, and nausea. However, many people infected with Blastocystis do not show any symptoms. Treatment typically involves antiparasitic medications, although some strains of Blastocystis have shown resistance to certain drugs.
Related Terms
- Parasitism: The relationship between two organisms where one benefits at the expense of the other.
- Stramenopiles: A diverse group of eukaryotic organisms that includes Blastocystis.
- Blastocystosis: The condition of being infected with Blastocystis.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Blastocystis
- Wikipedia's article - Blastocystis
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