Blastocystis prevalence in school age children from Reynosa, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in children living in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Material y Method: Cross-sectional study that included 238 stool samples from children aged 5 to 12 years from elementary schools in the city of Reynosa, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Results: Of the total number of samples, 13.8\% showed the presence of Blastocystis spp., being the most prevalent among the parasites found; the presence of Entamoeba histolytica/dispar, Giardia intestinalis and Enterobius vermicularis was also reported. Conclusions: The prevalence of Blastocystis in areas of Mexico is poorly known; however, studies in various parts of the world suggest an increase, so it is important to determine the presence and its relationship as a human pathogen or opportunist.