Journal of Bacteriology & Parasitology

Abstract

The Contribution of Pathogenic Bacteria to GI Symptoms in Parasite-Free Patients

Omar M. Amin

At the Parasitology Center, Inc. (PCI), Scottsdale, Arizona, we come across a number of patients with GI symptoms suggestive of parasitic infections that turn out to be free of parasites. Tests for pathogenic bacteria using swab culture tests showed that practically all these patients were infected with pathogenic bacteria that produce symptoms similar to those known in classical parasitic infections. Swabs from a random sample of 60 patients (21 males, 39 females between 2 and 87 yr old) with overt GI symptoms that tested negative for parasite infections during the second half of 2010 were cultured. All cultures proved to be positive for 2 or 3 of 5 species of pathogenic bacteria (Entrobacteriaceae), including, Escherechia coli (prevalence of 100%), Klebsiella sp. (72%), Proteus vulgaris (33%), Citrobacter freundii (25%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7%), and 1 fungus species, Candida sp. (5%). Epidemiological aspects of these infections are discussed and plausible explanation of the symptomology associated with bacterial infections in the absence of parasites is provided.