Prevalence of Blastocystis hominis carriage in Thai army personnel based in Chonburi, Thailand.

Blastocystis hominis is one of the most common intestinal parasites found in humans. The prevalence of B. hominis carriage in personnel who worked in the First Army Support Command, Chonburi, Thailand, was determined. Forty-four percent of 616 stool samples were positive for B. hominis using both simple smear and concentration (Formalin/ethyl acetate) techniques. The usefulness of the concentration technique in the diagnosis of B. hominis has been confirmed. Of 272 positive specimens, 75% were detected by simple smear and 25% were additionally identified by the concentration technique. The prevalence of B. hominis carriage was highest among the privates who had lived longest in this command. This finding indicates that they might have acquired B. hominis during their stay at this base. The significantly high prevalence of B. hominis carriage was found in the Ordnance Ammunition Battalion. In this battalion, privates who had education lower than the secondary school level had significantly greater risk of B. hominis carriage.