Blastocystis hominis infection in HIV/AIDS children with extraintestinal symptom: a case report

Abstract

Background: Blastocystis hominis is an intestinal parasite that can induce both intra- and extraintestinal symptoms. This article aims to describe the symptom findings in cases of HIV children co-infected with B. hominis. Case Presentation: A 3-year-old boy with HIV/AIDS came with diarrhea and skin rashes. The direct smear technique, formalin-ethyl acetate concentration technique, Jones medium culture, and trichrome staining were all used to investigate a single stool specimen from this patient. The results of the examination showed B. hominis infection with intensity <5/high power field (HPF). Extraintestinal symptoms such as skin rashes were not seen in this patient after appropriate treatment. Conclusion: B. hominis infection can cause extraintestinal symptoms such as a red rash on the skin. When a patient presents with a skin rash of unknown origin, having their stool tested for parasites is a concern.