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Romancing Blastocystis: A 20-Year Affair

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Parasites and their vectors

Abstract

This review captures the surrounding enigmatic aspects of Blastocystis sp. perhaps one of the most fascinating organisms seen under the microscope and highlights the pioneering findings from researchers from Southeast Asian countries in almost all aspects of this parasite. The parasite’s classification, biochemical properties, life cycle, prevalence, and genotypic and phenotypic characteristics including treatment have received conflicting opinions and suggestions. Like all organisms, the journey has been riddled with questions and even more questions. Our intimate association with the organism for the past 20 years has brought forth crucial information. Throughout this review, these findings along with results from other researchers from this part of the world will be unfolded in an attempt to fill the glaring gaps in all aspects of this parasite in the hope that the organism gains a greater global attention it deserves.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Suresh Kumar & Tian-Chye Tan

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  1. Suresh Kumar
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  2. Tian-Chye Tan
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Correspondence to Suresh Kumar .

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  1. Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya Faculty of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Yvonne Ai Lian Lim

  2. Department of Parasitology, University of Malaya Faculty of Medicine, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Indra Vythilingam

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Kumar, S., Tan, TC. (2013). Romancing Blastocystis: A 20-Year Affair. In: Lim, Y., Vythilingam, I. (eds) Parasites and their vectors. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-7091-1553-4_7

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