Should we treat Blastocystis sp.? A double-blind placebo-controlled randomized pilot trial
Cobuccio LG, Laurent M, Gardiol C, Wampfler R, Poppert S, Senn N, et al.
Published in J Travel Med, Vol. 30 (1)
Methodology
Double-blind, placebo-controlled randomised pilot trial in Swiss primary care. Adults with gastrointestinal symptoms for more than 14 days and only Blastocystis on stool microscopy received 10 days of metronidazole or placebo, with crossover if still symptomatic. Subtypes and 11 other protozoa were then checked by PCR.
Key Findings
Of 581 outpatients screened, 50 were eligible. Metronidazole was no better than placebo for the primary outcome (normal stool consistency) or any secondary outcome (bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, bowel movements, wellbeing). PCR found other protozoa in 25% (10/40); results did not differ by subtype or co-infection.
Conclusions
In adults with symptoms and Blastocystis, metronidazole did not improve gastrointestinal symptoms compared with placebo.
Limitations
Small pilot (50 patients); microscopy-based selection missed co-infections in a quarter of those tested by PCR; short follow-up.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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