Blastocystis: Pathogen or Passenger?: An Evaluation of 101 Years of Research (Parasitology Research Monographs Book 4)

The stages of Blastocystis have been known for 101 years. However, many facts are still disputed, e.g. even the question whether it is a true pathogen or a commensal present in sometimes life-threatening diarrheas. The present book evaluates in chapters contributed by renowned researchers the latest findings on: •Landmarks in the discovery of Blastocystis •Epidemiology, transmission and zoonotic potential •Morphology of human and animal Blastocystis isolates •Clinical aspects of Blastocystis infections •Behavioral decision analysis: what makes us sick? •Blastocystis-host interactions •Molecular approaches on the systematical position •Genetic polymorphism •Blastocystis from a statistical point of view •Diarrheas due to different agents of disease •Zoonotic diseases in comparison As such, this book provides a broad range of information for people working in this field, for physicians and veterinarians who are confronted with clinical cases, teachers, students and technical staff members in the fields of microbiology, parasitology and diagnostic methods. Front Matter....Pages i-xii Landmarks in the Discovery of Blastocystis Stages....Pages 1-8 Morphology of Human and Animal Blastocystis Isolates with Special Reference to Reproductive Modes....Pages 9-35 Epidemiology, Transmission, and Zoonotic Potential of Blastocystis in Human and Animals....Pages 37-49 Blastocystis –Host Interactions: Insights from In Vitro Model Systems....Pages 51-63 Clinical Aspects of Blastocystis Infections: Advancements Amidst Controversies....Pages 65-84 Molecular Approaches on Systematic Position, Genetic Polymorphism, and Classification of Blastocystis Isolates from Humans and Animals....Pages 85-94 What Do We Know About Blastocystis Analyzing Research Studies with Statistical Methods....Pages 95-131 Behavioral Decision Analysis and Pathogenicity: How Do We Decide What Makes Us Sick?....Pages 133-164 Diarrheas in Humans Due to Agents of Disease....Pages 165-177 What Are Zoonotic Diseases?....Pages 179-214 Conclusions....Pages 215-217 Back Matter....Pages 219-225 This volume summarizes what we know about blastocystis, the enigmatic organism whose pathogenesis we have recognized for a century but whose mechanisms remain mysterious to this day. It examines everything from its epidemiology to its varied clinical aspects.