BLASTOCYSTIS-HOMINIS IN ANIMALS - INCIDENCE OF 4 SEROGROUPS

In tote, 520 faecal samples from mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and snails were investigated (see Table 1). 91 strains of Blast ocystis hominis could be isolated by culture. However, only 48 of them were suitable for axenisation. 96 percent of samples belonged to four serogroups detected in humans but two strains, one from a pig and ano ther from a duck, could not be classified, suggesting the existence of one or two further serogroups. While humans showed mainly serogroups I and II, pigs harboured serogroups III and IV. Four serogroups were i solated from monkeys. The question whether the genus Blastocystis cons ists of one or more species is discussed.