ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by Blastocystis in relation to their etiology, biology, epidemiology, clinical presentation, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. The taxonomic position of Blastocystis was a subject of debate for a long time, due to the presence of multiple morphological forms in fecal samples and laboratory culture. Therefore, the diagnosis relies primarily on laboratory techniques to detect Blastocystis cells either in fecal sample or culture and to detect Blastocystis DNA or antigen in fecal samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has been used as a diagnostic tool for Blastocystis since 2006; the first described PCR method showed 100% specificity and was as sensitive as XIVC and more sensitive than FECT. The pathogenicity of Blastocystis is still controversial, so it is doubtful to what extent prevention from Blastocystis infection should be prioritized. Far too little attention has been paid to the immunity and serological diagnosis of Blastocystis-infected individuals.
