Parasite Infections, Blastocytosis

In our compounding practice we are seeing an increase in the number of enquiries which relate to treatment therapies for Parasitic infections. These types of infections are often difficult to diagnose and cause the patients a number of health issues. Once diagnosed, therapy can be challenging because of the complex types of medicines needed. Compounding pharmacies can help patients with their treatment, as a number of these medications are no longer commercially available. We will explain the background of Parasitic infections and mention potential compounding treatments.

 

The following information has been extracted from sahealth.gov.au/blastocytosis 30-May-2017

 

Background

Blastocystis is a single-celled parasite which is commonly found in people who have diarrhoea or other intestinal symptoms. There is a great deal of debate about whether Blastocystis causes illness or not. Often there is another cause of the symptoms which has not yet been found.

Blastocystis infection is found throughout the world, especially in developing countries, and occurs in humans and many other types of animals.

How Blastocystis is spread

It is not known how the infection is transmitted, but it may be through contaminated food and water.

In fact, there is not much that is known with certainty about Blastocystis and research is under way to try to understand what it is and what it does.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms which may be caused by Blastocystis include:

• watery or loose bowel motions or diarrhoea
• abdominal pain
• itching around the anus (back passage)
• weight loss
• excess gas.

However many people in whom Blastocystis is found have no symptoms at all.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis is made by microscopic examination of a faecal specimen.

Treatment

Since there is debate about whether Blastocystis causes illness or not, treatment is not usually needed and most infections will go away without any treatment.  A doctor may consider treatment in people with symptoms after other infectious or non-infectious causes have been excluded.

A number of oral medicines may be used to treat these types of infections. Through compounding pharmaciest, patients can overcome the biggest challenge which is access.

These may include, but are not limited to

• Secnidazole
• Furazolidone
• Diloxanide Furoate
• Nitazoxanide
• Tetracycline
• Bismuth Subsalicylate
• Paromomycin

All of the above medicines an not commercially available in Australia and will need to be compounded for Patients. Please contact National Custom Compounding on 1300731755 or [email protected] for more information.

Prevention

As it is not known how the infection is spread, the best advice is to maintain good personal hygiene practices, prepare food carefully and avoid drinking water that may not be clean.

Since this infection may be transmitted through contaminated food and water it is advisable to exclude people with Blastocystis from childcare, preschool, school and work until there has been no diarrhoea for 24 hours. If working as a food handler in a food business, the exclusion period should be until there has been no diarrhoea or vomiting for 48 hours.

Summary

It is important to see this information as purely informative and its critical that you discuss any personal health concerns with your regular Doctor and medical team first. Our compounding pharmacist are available any time to discuss medication requirements with yourself and your Doctor. Please contact us on 1300731755 or [email protected]