The purpose of this investigation was to determine the presence and prevalence of blastocystosis, a zoonosis caused by Blastocystis sp in free-range hens in homes of different localities in southern Chile, simultaneously verify human infection in at least one locality, and identify other infections by intestinal parasites in birds. Fresh fecal samples from hens and humans were collected and preserved in PAF fixative and processed by the PAFS method combined with a flotation phase with zinc sulfate solution. Blastocystis sp was detected in half of the homes and the average prevalence was 14.2% in the total of localities being greater in the rural area and in the locality of Teupa (p<0.05). The prevalence in humans was higher than in hens in the town of Ñancul (p<0.05), where the parasite was present in both hosts in 4 of 7 households. The prevalence of infection by Entamoeba gallin...

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the presence and prevalence of blastocystosis, a zoonosis caused by Blastocystis sp in free-range hens in homes of different localities in southern Chile, simultaneously verify human infection in at least one locality, and identify other infections by intestinal parasites in birds. Fresh fecal samples from hens and humans were collected and preserved in PAF fixative and processed by the PAFS method combined with a flotation phase with zinc sulfate solution. Blastocystis sp was detected in half of the homes and the average prevalence was 14.2% in the total of localities being greater in the rural area and in the locality of Teupa (p<0.05). The prevalence in humans was higher than in hens in the town of Ñancul (p<0.05), where the parasite was present in both hosts in 4 of 7 households. The prevalence of infection by Entamoeba gallin...