Abdulsalam, A.M.; Ithoi, I.; Al-Mekhlafi, H.M.; Ahmed, A.;
Surin, J.; Mak, J.W.A.H. (2012) Drinking water is a significant
predictor of Blastocystis infection among rural Malaysian
primary schoolchildren. Parasitology, 1 (1). pp. 1-7. ISSN
1469-8161 Blastocystis infection has a worldwide distribution
especially among the disadvantaged population and
immunocompromised subjects. This study was carried out to
determine the prevalence and the association of Blastocystis
infection with the socio-economic characteristics among 300
primary schoolchildren, living in rural communities in Lipis and
Raub districts of Pahang state, Malaysia. Stool samples were
collected and examined for the presence of Blastocystis using
direct smear microscopy after in vitro cultivation in Jones'
medium. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was
found to be as high as 25Â·7. The prevalence was signiï¬�cantly
higher among children with gastrointestinal symptoms as compared
to asymptomatic children (x 2=4Â·246; P=0Â·039). Univa