What is Blastocystis hominis infection?

What is Blastocystis hominis infection?

Blastocystis hominis is a single-celled parasite that infects humans and some animals. Infection with Blastocystis hominis is called blastocystosis.

Blastocystis hominis was the original name of the organism found in humans. Later studies found that there are many different strains (subtypes) of Blastocystis and they vary widely from one another. Blastocystis has at least 22 subtypes, nine of which can infect humans. Scientists now call this group of parasites Blastocystis species.