Articles: Parasites, Molds/Fungi and Bacteria

The public is assaulted with endless remedies for digestive problems and it appears that the disorder or infection is growing out of control. I know many people who have been diagnosed with the mysterious IBS label. I’ve decided to look into this a little deeper for people who don’t know what to do or who have given up with their doctors. There are two pathogens that might give insight to this rising problem.

The protozoan Blastocystis hominis (B. hominis) is a difficult pathogen because it is a single cell organism that morphs. Despite this, it is believed that this parasite and the other protozoan, Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis), may play a key role in IBS symptoms. Additionally, other co-infective parasites can’t be ruled out as contributing factors; and, these too are often overlooked. The blog “Journal of Forbidden Research” summarizes this prevailing misunderstood problem in a nutshell.

[Note: all emphasis below are mine and not within original publications.]

...

IBS Impact
This research says that IBS is largely a disease created by a problem in the medical system. Studies similar to the most recent work have been available for 13 years, yet the NIH and CDC have refused to take any action in examining infectious diseases in IBS patients. US patients with IBS may have a great deal to complain about: research currently sponsored by the NIH portrays IBS patients as malingerers, mentally deficient, and incapable of dealing with normal life stresses.

“When you tell a patient with chronic illness that they have IBS, the focus shifts from the infection to the patient. IBS is a popular explanation because it is a blame-shifting tool. IBS stops patients from asking questions like ‘Where did I contract this disease?’ and ‘Why is there no treatment available?’ The problem is no longer the infectious disease - the question becomes what is the patient doing wrong” according to Ken Boorom, founder of the Blastocystis Research Foundation. The rate of Blastocystis infection in the US has skyrocketed. BRF publications suggest that 30-60 million US citizens have contracted Blastocystis infection in the last 15 years.BRF has advocated addressing IBS as a public health problem by diagnosing patients and treating the disease, and working to prevent further infection.

“We’re seeing the impact of the epidemic in everyday life. IBS commercials and IBS products are all being produced to target the population of Blastocystis patients which the NIH and CDC will not address. The NIH hasn’t approved a single Blastocystis grant in 15 years. “

?

Labratories appear to be another problem, once again, with a misdiagnosis or no conclusive evidence with contributing to the general diagnosis of IBS. If anyone has read my previous posts about insufficient lab techniques you know that this is one of my biggest disappointments and complaints of the medical establishment. A medical publication has identified that problems exists in this area.

PubMed

Recent studies have described a possible role for protozoan parasites, such as Blastocystis hominis and Dientamoeba fragilis, in the etiology of IBS. Dientamoeba fragilis is known to cause IBS-like symptoms and has a propensity to cause chronic infections but its diagnosis relies on microscopy of stained smears, which many laboratories do not perform, thereby leading to the misdiagnosis of dientamoebiasis as IBS.

Examiner

There is no law requiring doctors to inform patients if their test results come back showing they have an infectious disease like Blastocystis. Some physicians are just too busy to follow-up, and others don’t think it’s important.

Although these parasites are somewhat controversial as a diagnosis, they are likely a prevelant cause. While the medical establishment debates on the actual causes of IBS, millions of suffers are rarely given relief and told to live with the problem. If someone becomes a candidate for medications, unfortunately, symptoms are moderately relieved, somewhat. According to IFFGD, complaints come from 60-65% women and 35-40% men that are afflicted with this problem.

Those who suffer with these parasites or experience painful IBS-like symptoms can seek natural remedies. It is possible that some of the below recommendations that I’ve read about could be helpful.

?

B. HOMINIS

What is known about Blastocystis hominis and the diagnosis?

The earliest report of B. hominis was in 1916. It’s classification was first defined as a yeast-like organism; although, it has gone through reclassifications. The fungi category has been ruled out since it is unable to grow in a fungus medium and it is sensitive to antiprotozeal agents. For this reason, B. hominis is under Stramenopiles along with mildew, brown algae and the likes. To further complicate its existence there several other identifiers due to its morphing ability; these are vacuolar or central body , granular, amoeboid, and cyst forms that are sensitive to oxygen as anaerobic. Whether or not B. hominis’ classification is clear to microbiologists, it could be the culprit to many digestive upsets. A list of about 19 symptoms are cited, but the main observations are diarrhea and anexoria. There are clinicians who have stated a belief that overtime B. hominis will just go away. I’m doubtful about this suggestion given that it is classified as a parasitic organism. The nature of a parasite doesn’t simply do this; at least, not to my knowledge that parasites voluntarily leaves its host. It’s neither logical nor have I found concrete support with this theory. If this were the case many people wouldn’t have a persistent parasite problem.

Source: NCBI

This study was designed to examine stool specimens of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients for Blastocystis hominis, a common intestinal parasite. One hundred fifty patients were enrolled, 95 IBS cases and 55 controls. Stool microscopy was positive for B. hominis in 32% (30 of 95) of the cases and 7% (4 of 55) of the controls. Stool culture was positive in 46% (44 of 95) of the cases and 7% (4 of 55) of the controls. Blastocystis hominis was frequently demonstrated in the stool samples of IBS patients; however, its significance in IBS still needs to be investigated. Stool culture has a higher positive yield for B. hominis than stool microscopy.

Conducted Study & Protocol

In China, research has been conducted on Blastocystis hominis using pomegranate root bark. According to this in-vitro study the herb is an effective treatment for treating this harmful gut microbe. Most interestingly, this root is used in formulas against tapeworm infections which are hard to kill.

Source: Free Papers

Conclusion pomegranate root bark, Picrorhiza directly act on the parasite surface membrane, with a strong killing effect of Blastocystis hominis. Accordingly, this experiment use a low concentration of the root bark of pomegranate liquid, parasites rapid apoptosis, pyrolysis, it shows that the insecticidal effect of the root bark of pomegranate, but can not observe the parasite surface membrane damage to the dynamic process of change, the exact mechanism deserves further study. Low concentration of Picrorhiza liquid drug can be fully observed by the changing role of parasites, trophozoites induced into the first sac, and then in high concentrations of drug effects, the parasites die rapidly. Coptis, Chinaberry Peel on the role of Blastocystis hominis is not strong, while the Chinese bulbul, pumpkin seeds, betel nuts, matrine on Blastocystis hominis had no effect, it is that the root bark of pomegranate, water extract of Picrorhiza have to kill in the role of Blastocystis hominis. Pomegranate root bark, Picrorhiza is a common Chinese herbal medicine, China’s resource-rich, low cost and low toxicity. This experiment for the use of pomegranate root bark, Picrorhiza the development of new high-efficiency low-toxic topical and oral anti-drug Blastocystis hominis basis.

In discovering this great reasearch, it has been my experience in dealing with any type of parasite problem to not solely rely on one agent. A protocol cocktail is necessary to kill the infection along with their co-infectives that are responsible for wreaking havoc in your life.

?

D. FRAGILIS

Is Dientamoeba fragilis a pathogen of concern?

Many doctors today still know little about D. Fragilis and dismiss its existence, but according to the report below it should be included as part of a diagnosis for IBS. Dientamoeba Fragilis was discovered in 1918 as one of the smaller organisms that is a non-flagellate trichomonad parasite existing in the larger intestines. This parasite doesn’t have a cyst stage whereas most other parasites do but it causes intestinal inflammation. It is believed that D. fragilis is a co-infective with pinworms; travelers are at higher risks with these infections. However, a person can be asymptomatic without exhibiting any symptoms even though they are infectious and they don’t have to be a traveler to become infected.

Source: Clinical Microbiology Reviews

The overwhelming circumstantial evidence, however, strongly suggests that D. fragilis is a bona fide pathogen. This is based primarily on the observation that there are a large number of case reports from many parts of the world that describe patients whose clinical symptoms subsided only after therapeutic intervention and elimination of the organism. However,it cannot be denied that there are patients who harbor this organism but do not exhibit clinical signs. AND There are great gaps in our present state of knowledge concerning the virulence, pathogenicity, and mode of transmission of D. fragilis. However, neglecting to include D. fragilis on the list of potential culprits in unexplained cases of chronic diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, flatulence, and anorexia, and even in patients with irritable bowel syndrome-like syndromes, no longer be justified.

Herbal Protocol to Help

Alternative treatments for D. fragilis are hard to find in a convenient formula. Herbal suggestions include berberine antibacterials like Goldenseal; Garlic; Quassia; Gentian; Artemesia Annua; Black Walnut; and Arginine. Other suggestions included daily Colloidal Silver solution [better to make daily fresh batches]; 30 billion CFUs daily of Saccharomyces Boulardii as well as Bifidus with food; and Grapeseed extract. If you were to try a combination of the suggestions, it could be to your advantage to add pure Olive Leaf extract and Oregano Oil as additional antimicrobials.

?

WHAT NEXT?

Bottomline, a diagnosis of IBS could be a misdiagnosis because it is doubtful that sufficient lab cultures were done to rule out Blastocystis hominis or Dientamoeba fragilis. A qualified person should conduct a lab test to rule out one or more of these obscure parasites and other co-infective possibilities. The logical step would be to try a protocol once the problem has been identified. In dealing with any parasite infection they have to be blasted hard, be consistent in treatment, and have patience with time are good virtues.

There are several websites that maybe good resources to learn more about these organisms or treatments for them.

Blastocystis Research Foundation

CPN Help

Bad Bugs

CDC