Blastocystis hominis as a contributing risk factor for development of iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women

Intestinal parasitic infection increases the risk of developing iron deficiency anemia (IDA) during pregnancy. The objective of this study was to assess Blastocystis hominis as a contributing risk factor for development of IDA in pregnant women. A total of 200 fecal specimens from 120 pregnant women with IDA (mean Hb = 9.6 g/dl), and 80 non-anemic controls were examined for Blastocystis . Fecal specimens were examined by the formalin/ethyl-acetate concentration technique, iron hematoxylin staining, modified Ziehl–Neelsen acid-fast staining, and by the in vitro cultivation technique for Blastocystis . Frequency of Blastocystis infection, detected microscopically and by the in vitro culture technique, was significantly higher in IDA study group ( n = 48; 40%) compared to non-anemic controls ( n = 5; 6.3%; P