[Blastocystosis: nitazoxanide as a new therapeutic option]

Rev Soc Bras Med Trop. 2003 May-Jun;36(3):415-7. doi: 10.1590/s0037-86822003000300016. Epub 2003 Jul 31.
[Article in Portuguese]

Abstract

We report a case of a patient with AIDS and severe immunosuppression who developed diarrhea due to a vacuolar stage of Blastocystis hominis. The patient was treated with nitazoxanide, a 5-nitrothiazole broad-spectrum antiparasitic agent. We obtained complete remission of symptoms and eradication of the parasite. Nitazoxanide is a new treatment option for blastocystosis in AIDS patients. Further studies to test its efficacy are needed.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Antiprotozoal Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Blastocystis Infections / diagnosis
  • Blastocystis Infections / drug therapy*
  • Blastocystis hominis / isolation & purification*
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Parasite Egg Count
  • Thiazoles / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Antiprotozoal Agents
  • Nitro Compounds
  • Thiazoles
  • nitazoxanide