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Xue NY, Qin SY, Qin Y, Wang HT, Hou QY, Yang X, Jiang J, Ni HB. Existence of Blastocystis infection in bar-headed goose (Anser indicus). Res Vet Sci 2024; 178:105380. [PMID: 39173243 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2024.105380] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist in humans and animals. Currently, Blastocystis infection in bar-headed geese is unknown. To understand the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis subtypes in bar-headed geese, fecal samples were collected from 358 bar-headed geese in three regions. The total infection rate of Blastocystis in bar-headed in China was 5.9% (21/358), with 5.0% (6/120) in Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefect, Sichuan province, 11.8% (14/119) in Maqu county, Gansu province, and 0.8% (1/119) in Caohai, Wei ning county, Guizhou province. The differences in prevalence rates by region were statistically significant. Sequences analyses showed that one known subtype (ST7, n = 16) and one potentially novel ST (n = 5) in bar-headed geese were detected in this study. This is the first report on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in bar-headed geese, which will improve our understanding of the epidemiology and public health implications of Blastocystis infection in wild migratory birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nian-Yu Xue
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, Jilin Province, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu Province, PR China
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- Center of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland Administration, Shenyang, Liaoning Province, PR China
| | - Ya Qin
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province, PR China; College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Hai-Tao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Qing-Yu Hou
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University, Dali, Yunnan Province, PR China
| | - Jing Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, Jilin Province, PR China.
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao 266109, Shandong Province, PR China.
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Seijas-Pereda L, Köster PC, Dashti A, Bailo B, Guadano-Procesi I, Rescalvo-Casas C, Hernando-Gozalo M, Cuadros-González J, Carmena D, Pérez-Tanoira R. Intragenomic diversity of the small subunit rDNA gene shows limited impact on the pathogenicity of Blastocystis infection in clinical patients. Microbes Infect 2024:105422. [PMID: 39260820 DOI: 10.1016/j.micinf.2024.105422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 09/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/13/2024]
Abstract
The clinical significance of Blastocystis sp. remains to be fully elucidated. This study assesses whether Blastocystis subtype diversity can affect the outcome of the infection and the occurrence of clinical manifestations in infected individuals. Stool samples from 219 Blastocystis-positive patients by PCR targeting the ssu rDNA gene were fully genotyped by Sanger sequencing analyses. Co-infections by other parasitic, viral, and bacterial enteropathogens were identified by molecular and culture methods. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of six Blastocystis subtypes including ST1 (21.5 %), ST2 (17.8 %), ST3 (29.7 %), ST4 (22.8 %), ST6 (5.5 %), and ST7 (2.3 %), with a single sample harbouring a ST1+ST3 co-infection (0.5 %). Multivariate risk factor analyses using logistic regression models indicated that neither Blastocystis subtypes nor patient-associated variables including sex, country of origin, travelling history, and presence of nonspecific symptoms were positively associated with a higher likelihood of developing gastrointestinal symptoms (abdominal pain and diarrhoea). However, being of a young age (p-value: 0.003) and experiencing skin pruritus (p-value < 0.001) and eosinophilia (p-value: 0.016) were found to increase the odds of presenting gastrointestinal symptoms. Blastocystis subtypes based on variability within the ssu rDNA gene do not seem to be the main drivers of clinical manifestations in the surveyed clinical population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Seijas-Pereda
- Department of Microbiology, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain.
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain; Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain; Women for Africa Foundation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain
| | - Isabel Guadano-Procesi
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain; Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of "Tor Vergata", 0133, Rome, Italy
| | - Carlos Rescalvo-Casas
- Department of Microbiology, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - Marcos Hernando-Gozalo
- Department of Microbiology, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry, University of Alcalá, 28805, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Cuadros-González
- Department of Microbiology, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, 28220, Majadahonda, Spain; CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Health Institute Carlos III, 28029, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Ramón Pérez-Tanoira
- Department of Microbiology, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain; Department of Biomedicine and Biotechnology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Alcalá, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Spain
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Guilane A, Haleche I, Tazerouti F, Ziam H, Kernif T, Boutellis A. New Haplotypes of Blastocystis sp. Identified in Faeces from Various Animal Groups in Algeria. Acta Parasitol 2024; 69:1338-1351. [PMID: 38829474 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00857-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocystis sp. is a single-celled, anaerobic, parasitic protozoan commonly found in the intestinal tract of animals and humans globally. Genetic analysis has revealed significant diversity within its species, leading to the identification of at least 40 subtypes (ST1-ST40). This study aimed to identify and differentiate Blastocystis in faeces samples from various animal hosts in Algeria. METHODS A total of 403 fecal samples, collected from both domestic and zoo animals, were subjected to PCR amplification and sequencing of Blastocystis-specific small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-RNA) gene. RESULTS The overall prevalence of Blastocystis in animals was found to be 38.9%. Through comprehensive phylogenetic and phylogeographic analyses, we identified four distinct subtypes (ST1 in both domestic and zoo animals, and ST3, ST4, and ST5 exclusively in zoo animals), encompassing nine different haplotypes, including five that appear original to Algeria. CONCLUSION This study represents the first epidemiological molecular investigation of Blastocystis sp. in animals in Algeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Guilane
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment: Interactions, Genome, Biology Faculty, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely-Brahim, 16000, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Ikram Haleche
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely-Brahim, 16000, Algiers, Algeria
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Health, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Fadila Tazerouti
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment: Interactions, Genome, Biology Faculty, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Hocine Ziam
- Laboratory of Biotechnology, Environment and Health, University of Blida 1, Blida, Algeria
| | - Tahar Kernif
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Population Genetics, Pasteur Institute of Algeria, Dely-Brahim, 16000, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Amina Boutellis
- Laboratory of Biodiversity and Environment: Interactions, Genome, Biology Faculty, University of Science and Technology Houari Boumediene, Algiers, Algeria.
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Karim MR, Harun AB, Bayazid AA, Siddiki SHMF, Li J, Zhang L. Molecular investigation of Blastocystis in children and calves in Bangladesh. BMC Microbiol 2024; 24:316. [PMID: 39217311 PMCID: PMC11365190 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-024-03476-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/23/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis, a widely distributed zoonotic protozoan infecting both humans and numerous animals, remains poorly understood with its potential medical and veterinary significance. This study examined the molecular occurrence and genetic variation of Blastocystis in children and calves in Bangladesh to explore cross-species transmission and disease burden. METHODS In total, 998 DNA samples were investigated, comprising 299 stool DNA from children and 699 fecal DNA from calves, using polymerase chain reaction and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. RESULTS This study detected Blastocystis in 5.35% of the children and 14.74% of the calves. While slight variations in occurrence rates were observed across different study variables, none were statistically significant. The occurrence was highest among children under 5 years and calves aged 1-3 months. Regarding breed, the Holstein Friesian cross and the Jersey cross exhibited higher rates of infection. Conversely, occurrences were lower among children and calves in Gazipur district. The remaining parameters displayed nearly equivalent percentages of Blastocystis. The subtypes identified in children included ST1, ST3, and ST4, with ST1 comprising 50% of them. ST3 and ST4 were also found in calves, alongside ST10 (55.34%) being the most prevalent. Other subtypes found in calves were ST14, ST21, and ST24-ST26. CONCLUSIONS This study found that Blastocystis is more common in calves than in children in Bangladesh, with genetic diversity of nine subtypes. The common occurrence of identical variants of two subtypes in both populations suggests potential zoonotic transmission, highlighting the necessity for further molecular investigations and comprehensive measures within the One Health framework to mitigate public health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Robiul Karim
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Anas Bin Harun
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Abdullah Al Bayazid
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - S H M Faruk Siddiki
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengdong Newly-Developed Area, No. 15 University District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengdong Newly-Developed Area, No. 15 University District, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.
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Heydarian M, Manouchehri Naeini K, Kheiri S, Abdizadeh R. Prevalence and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in ruminants in Southwestern, Iran. Sci Rep 2024; 14:20254. [PMID: 39215121 PMCID: PMC11364837 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70907-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is the most common gastrointestinal protozoan parasite of humans and many vertebrates. This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence and determination subtype (ST) of Blastocystis in domestic ruminants of Shahrekord County, southwestern Iran. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 330 ruminant fecal samples (107 cows, 115 sheep, and 108 goats) were evaluated by parasitological methods (direct wet mount microscopic examination and formalin-ether concentration), Giemsa staining, In vitro xenic culture (The modified Dobell and Laidlaw culture method), polymerase chain reaction, and sequencing from 2018 to 2019, then data were analyzed using SPSS software version 21. The overall Blastocystis positive in ruminants was 14.2% and the frequency of Blastocystis sp. in cattle, sheep, and goats were 0.93%, 17.4%, and 24.1% respectively. Molecular diagnosis techniques revealed that ruminants were infected with four STs (genotypes) of Blastocystis including ST5(21.3%), ST7(2.1%), ST10(17.1%) and ST14(57.4%). Also, the STs identified in cows were ST10, and the observed STs in sheep were ST5 (40%), ST7 (3%), ST10 (5%), ST14 (45%), and one unknown subspecies. Goats were infected by ST5 (7.7%), ST10 (23.1%), and ST14 (69.2%). In this study, ST14 was identified as the most common subtype of Blastocystis sp. that was not common between humans and livestock, meanwhile, ST5 and ST7 are common between humans and animals accounted 21.3% and 2.1% of the positive cases, respectively, and reinforces the hypothesis that ruminants are reservoirs of blastocystosis in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mahboubeh Heydarian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8813833435, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Kourosh Manouchehri Naeini
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8813833435, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Soleiman Kheiri
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Health Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Rahman Abdizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, P.O. Box: 8813833435, Shahrekord, Iran.
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Basic Health Sciences Institute, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
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Boutahar M, Belaouni M, Ibrahimi A, Eljaoudi R, Aanniz T, Er-Rami M, Köster PC, Dashti A, Carmena D. Unveiling Blastocystis epidemiology in Morocco: subtype diversity among clinical patients with and without gastrointestinal manifestations in the Meknes region. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:273. [PMID: 39017986 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08288-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/06/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Blastocystis is an intestinal protist frequently identified in humans and other animals, though its clinical significance remains controversial. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in faecal samples from symptomatic (n = 55) and asymptomatic (n = 50) individuals seeking medical care in Meknes, Morocco. Detection of the protist was accomplished through coproparasitological examination and culture in Jones medium. Culture-positive samples were subjected to molecular analyses (PCR and Sanger sequencing) based on sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating patients. The overall Blastocystis infection rate was 51.4% (54/105), with no differences between symptomatic (52.7%, 29/55) and asymptomatic (50.0%, 25/50) individuals. Sequence analyses identified three Blastocystis subtypes, with ST3 being the most prevalent (42.0%), followed by ST1 (34.0%), and ST2 (12.0%). Regarding intra-subtype diversity, allele 4 was found within ST1; alleles 11/12 and alleles 34/36 (alone or in combination) were identified within ST2 and ST3 respectively. Allele 34 in ST3 (40.8%) and allele 4 in ST1 (34.7%) were the most common genetic variants circulating in the surveyed clinical population. A statistically significant association between ST2 and the presence of flatulence was observed. This is the first study assessing the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Meknes region, Morocco.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mounia Boutahar
- Human Pathology, Biomedicine and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Fez, B.P. 2202 - Route d'Imouzzer, Fez, Morocco.
| | - Mourad Belaouni
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Moulay Ismaïl Military Hospital, Meknes, Morocco
| | - Azeddine Ibrahimi
- Biotechnology Lab (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical & Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 10100, Rabat, Morocco
- Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation (CM6), 10000, Rabat, Morocco
- Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, 20000, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Rachid Eljaoudi
- Biotechnology Lab (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical & Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 10100, Rabat, Morocco
- Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation (CM6), 10000, Rabat, Morocco
- Emergency Department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, 10000, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Tarik Aanniz
- Biotechnology Lab (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical & Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, 10100, Rabat, Morocco
| | - Mohammed Er-Rami
- Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Moulay Ismaïl Military Hospital, Meknes, Morocco
- Human Pathology, Biomedicine and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Fez, Morocco
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de La Cañada, Madrid, Spain
- Faculty of Medicine, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de La Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBER Infectious Diseases (CIBERINFEC), Madrid, Spain
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Jinatham V, Yowang A, Stensvold CR, Michalopoulou E, Vichasilp T, Suwannahitatorn P, Popluechai S, Tsaousis AD, Gentekaki E. Blastocystis colonization and associations with population parameters in Thai adults. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2024; 18:e0012292. [PMID: 38980911 PMCID: PMC11259296 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0012292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is a unicellular eukaryote commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. The prevalence of Blastocystis has been investigated in both developed and developing countries, yet its occurrence and distribution in rural locations has been less studied. Herein, we aimed to examine the distribution of Blastocystis colonization in Thai adults representing background populations along a rural/peri-urban gradient, as well as associations between colonization and personal characteristics. METHODOLOGY A total of 238 participants were recruited from rural and peri-urban areas situated in three provinces. The presence of Blastocystis in feces was evaluated using PCR and qPCR. Information on gender, age, region (province), rural/peri-urban location, and body mass index (BMI) was collected. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS The overall rate of Blastocystis carriage was 67.2%. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between Blastocystis carriage and region (p<0.05), location (p<0.001) and age group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that rural/peri-urban location and BMI were significantly associated with Blastocystis carriage. Nine subtypes (ST1-ST7, ST10 and ST23) were identified with ST3, ST7 and ST1 as the most abundant ones, in this order. The greatest diversity of subtypes, in terms of numbers, was found in the middle aged group (nine subtypes), while the least diversity was found in the young adult and obese (three subtypes each) groups. CONCLUSIONS This study increases the understanding of the epidemiology of Blastocystis colonization and its association with population parameters and characteristics in middle-income countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasana Jinatham
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Amara Yowang
- Regional Medical Sciences Center 1/1 Chiang Rai, Department of Medical Sciences, Ministry of Public Health, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | | | - Eleni Michalopoulou
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nicosia School of Veterinary Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | | | | | - Siam Popluechai
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nicosia School of Veterinary Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
- Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
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Shan F, Wang F, Chang S, Wang N, Liu Y, Chen X, Zhao G, Zhang L. Predominance of the Blastocystis subtype ST5 among free-living sympatric rodents within pig farms in China suggests a novel transmission route from farms. One Health 2024; 18:100723. [PMID: 38623498 PMCID: PMC11017045 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a parasitic protist that can infect humans and various domestic and wild animals. However, there is limited research on the prevalence of this parasite among rodents, particularly those living in pig farm settings. Therefore, to investigate the occurrence, molecular characterization, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis among rodents within pig farm environments, we conducted an investigation of 227 rodents and shrews from 34 pig farms located in Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi provinces of China using nested PCR of the SSU rRNA gene of Blastocystis. The potential transmission and public health implications were also assessed from a One Health perspective. Blastocystis was detected in 86 (37.9%) fecal samples. The highest infection rate was observed among Ruttus norvegicus (73.7%, 42/58), followed by Ruttus tanezumi (30.1%, 41/136), and Mus musculus (12.0%, 3/25). However, it was not detected among individuals with Apodemus agrarius (n = 1) and Crocidura shantungensis (n = 7). Five known zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes (ST1-ST5) were identified, with ST4 (51.2%, 44/86) and ST5 (40.7%, 35/86) being the predominant ones, followed by ST1 (3.5%, 3/86), ST3 (3.5%, 3/86), and ST2 (1.2%, 1/86). ST4 was prevalent among R. norvegicus (83.3%, 35/42), while ST5 dominated R. tanezumi (70.7%, 29/41). Furthermore, ST5 exhibited the widest distribution at pig farm level, accounting for 65.0% (13/20) of Blastocystis-positive pig farms. This investigation presents the first documented Blastocystis infection in R. tanezumi and M. musculus, highlighting the predominant presence of the zoonotic ST5 subtype in rodents for the first time. The results demonstrate that sympatric rodents can serve as natural reservoirs for Blastocystis and play a role in its transmission. These findings provide information on the dynamics of rodent transmission and emphasize the potential public health threat posed by zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes spillover from pig farms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fa Shan
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Fang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Shengke Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Nanhao Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yufeng Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xi Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Guanghui Zhao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Zhengzhou 450046, China
- International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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Matovelle C, Quílez J, Tejedor MT, Beltrán A, Chueca P, Monteagudo LV. Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis spp. in Patients with Gastrointestinal Symptoms in Northern Spain. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1084. [PMID: 38930466 PMCID: PMC11205523 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061084] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2024] [Revised: 05/24/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Limited molecular data exist on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis spp., the most prevalent parasite in human and animal feces worldwide. A total of 44 different subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis are currently recognized based on the sequence of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene. This is a molecular study of Blastocystis spp. in hospitalized patients with gastrointestinal symptoms in northern Spain. We analyzed 173 Blastocystis-positive patients with gastrointestinal symptoms by using nested PCR for molecular detection, subtype identification, phylogenetic analyses, and genetic diversity assessment. ST2 (34.1%) and ST3 (34.7%) predominated, followed by ST1 (15.6%) and ST4 (15.6%). Mixed infections with different subtypes were observed in some patients. Sequence analysis revealed for the first time in European humans the allele 88 (a variant of ST1). In other cases, alleles commonly found in animal samples were detected (allele 9 in ST2, allele 34 in ST3, and allele 42 in ST4). Phylogenetic analysis showed high variability in ST1 and ST2, suggesting a polyphyletic origin, while both ST3 and ST4 exhibited higher genetic homogeneity, indicating a possible monophyletic origin and recent transmission to humans. These data confirm Blastocystis spp. subtype diversity and may help in understanding the evolutionary processes and potential zoonotic transmission of this parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Matovelle
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
| | - Joaquín Quílez
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - María Teresa Tejedor
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.T.T.); (P.C.)
- Aragon Institute of Health Sciences (IACS), Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red-Enfermedades Cardiovasculares (CIBERCV), 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Antonio Beltrán
- Environmental Sciences Institute (IUCA), University of Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Service of Microbiology and Parasitology, Hospital Clínico Universitario Lozano Blesa, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain
| | - Patricia Chueca
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.T.T.); (P.C.)
| | - Luis Vicente Monteagudo
- AgriFood Institute of Aragon (IA2), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Department of Anatomy, Embryology and Animal Genetics, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain; (M.T.T.); (P.C.)
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10
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Adao DEV, Rivera WL. Subtype-host patterns and genetic differentiation of Blastocystis sp. in the Philippines. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29019. [PMID: 38601700 PMCID: PMC11004820 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a gastrointestinal protozoan commonly encountered in humans and animals. Specificity to certain hosts may be associated with 38 known subtypes (STs) and 8 nonmammalian and avian STs (NMASTs). This can be determined by analyzing ST-host associations, ST-allele data, genetic variability analyses, and fixation index (FST) with sufficient data present. Thus, newly acquired and previously published data on Blastocystis sp. STs and NMASTs from the Philippines were compiled to determine the following: (1) ST-host associations, (2) ST-allele diversity per ST in certain hosts/sources, (3) intrasubtype diversity of certain STs found in different hosts using genetic variability analysis, and (4) comparison of similarities between specific ST populations to determine if these are the same circulating populations using FST. A total of 448 samples subtyped using both sequence-tagged site primers and the 600-bp barcoding region of the Blastocystis sp. SSU rRNA gene were analyzed in this study. Patterns of association for the Philippine samples were similar to those from neighboring Southeast Asian countries and around the world: ST1-ST4 were found in humans but ST3 was the most common, ST5 were found in pigs, and ST6 and ST7 were found in poultry. Blastocystis sp. from humans are mostly the same ST alleles (ST3 allele 34 and ST1 allele 4) while 3-5 ST alleles were found in the most common STs in pigs, macaques, and poultry. Also, ST1, ST3, ST5, and NMAST I are undergoing population expansion according to genetic variability analyses through possible addition of new alleles based on ST-allele diversity. Moreover, FST shows the same circulating population of ST1 in humans, pigs, and water indicating a possible waterborne route of cross-transmission. In contrast, ST3 found in humans possibly come from the same circulating population and is genetically distinct from those in nonhuman sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davin Edric V. Adao
- Pathogen–Host–Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
| | - Windell L. Rivera
- Pathogen–Host–Environment Interactions Research Laboratory, Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, 1101, Philippines
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11
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Asghari A, Yousefi A, Mohammadi MR, Badali R, Shamsi L, Köseoğlu AE, Abbaszadeh A, Shams M, Mohammadi-Ghalehbin B. Comparative molecular epidemiology, subtype distribution, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis sp. in Equus animals (horses, donkeys, and mules) in northwestern Iran. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 106:102124. [PMID: 38262257 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2024.102124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/31/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
A total of 500 fecal samples were collected from Equus animals in six different cities (Ardabil, Namin, Nir, Meshginshahr, Germi, and Khalkhal) of Ardabil Province, northwestern Iran, with 200 samples from horses, 200 from donkeys, and 100 from mules. Of the horse samples, 100 were from racing horses under special monitoring and care, while the remaining 100 were from non-racing horses, including those used for herding or in rural areas. All fecal samples were examined for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA gene's barcode region after DNA extraction. The molecular prevalence of Blastocystis infection in Equus animals was 7.6% (38/500). Blastocystis was more common in horses [11.5% (23/200)] than in donkeys [5.5% (11/200)] and mules [4% (4/100)] (P > 0.05). Compared to racing horses [3% (3/100)], non-racing/rural horses [20% (20/100)] exhibited a substantially higher prevalence of Blastocystis (P < 0.05). The prevalence of Blastocystis in diarrheal samples and younger animals was remarkably higher than in formed samples and older animals, respectively (P < 0.05). No significant difference in Blastocystis infection prevalence was found between the genders of examined animals (P > 0.05). In Equus animals, 38 Blastocystis isolates included eight STs: ST10 [31.6% (12/38)], ST1 [21.1% (8/38)], ST2 [15.8% (6/38)], ST3 [10.5% (4/38)], ST4 [7.9% (3/38)], ST7 [5.2% (2/38)], ST14 [5.2% (2/38)], and ST6 [2.6% (1/38)]. These results suggest that Equus animals act as a proper reservoir for numerous Blastocystis STs, consequently playing a crucial part in the spread of this protozoan infection to humans, animals, and water reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Asghari
- Zoonoses Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Yousefi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mohammad Reza Mohammadi
- Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Roya Badali
- Department of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Laya Shamsi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Biruni University, 34010, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Amir Abbaszadeh
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
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12
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Rozo-Montoya N, Bedoya-Urrego K, Alzate JF. Monitoring potentially pathogenic protists in sewage sludge using Metataxonomics. Food Waterborne Parasitol 2023; 33:e00210. [PMID: 37808003 PMCID: PMC10558727 DOI: 10.1016/j.fawpar.2023.e00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasites continue to pose a significant threat to human health worldwide, particularly among children. Contaminated water and soil serve as major transmission vehicles for these parasites and intestinal protists are among the most prevalent parasites in both developed and developing nations. Traditionally, parasites have been studied using human or animal fecal samples, while studying them in environmental samples has been challenging due to technical limitations. However, advancements in Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) and bioinformatic approaches now enable the detection of parasite DNA in environmental samples. In this study, we applied a metataxonomic and phylogenetic strategy to detect and classify DNA of protists present in sewage sludge from two major cities in Colombia: Medellin and Cali. We successfully detected several human pathogenic parasites including Giardia intestinalis, Entamoeba histolytica, and Blastocystis sp., among other protists, in all sludge samples examined. We also investigated the entry and exit of parasite DNA from the San Fernando wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). We observed a higher number of parasite DNA sequences in the plant's influent wastewater, but we also detected the discharge of DNA from pathogenic parasites in both effluent waters and biosolids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Rozo-Montoya
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Katherine Bedoya-Urrego
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Juan F. Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
- Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
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Zhao W, Zhang Y, Li J, Ren G, Qiang Y, Wang Y, Lai X, Lei S, Liu R, Chen Y, Huang H, Li W, Lu G, Tan F. Prevalence and distribution of subtypes of Blastocystis in Asiatic brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus macrourus), bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus), and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) farmed in Hainan, China. Parasite 2023; 30:45. [PMID: 37921619 PMCID: PMC10624160 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2023048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is an important gastrointestinal parasite with global distribution, prevalent in humans, farmed animals, and wildlife. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in Asiatic brush-tailed porcupines (Atherurus macrourus), bamboo rats (Rhizomys pruinosus), and masked palm civets (Paguma larvata) in Hainan Province, China. A total of 900 fecal samples were collected from three farmed animal species including 257 porcupines, 360 rats, and 283 civets. Genomic DNA was extracted from each fecal sample and Blastocystis sp. was detected by PCR at the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using the maximum likelihood method. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 47 (5.2%) fecal samples: 12 (4.7%) Asiatic brush-tailed porcupines, 8 (2.2%) bamboo rats, and 27 (9.5%) masked palm civets. Three known Blastocystis sp. subtypes, including ST1, ST4, ST5, and one unnamed subtype (unST), were found in one, 19, 26, and one animal, respectively. Subtypes ST4 and unST were detected in porcupines, ST4 in rats, and ST1 and ST5 in civets. Our results suggest that the three farmed animal species reported in this study could serve as reservoirs for potentially zoonotic Blastocystis sp. subtypes and transmit this parasite to humans, other farmed animals, and wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Department of Parasitology, Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou 325035 China
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Yun Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Jiaqi Li
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Guangxu Ren
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Yu Qiang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Xiuyi Lai
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Sheng Lei
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
| | - Rui Liu
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100 China
| | - Yuankun Chen
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100 China
| | - Huicong Huang
- Department of Parasitology, Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou 325035 China
| | - Wenting Li
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100 China
| | - Gang Lu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Translational Medicine of Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Tropical Disease Control, Hainan Medical University-The University of Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Tropical Infectious Diseases, Department of Pathogenic Biology, Hainan Medical University Haikou 571199 China
- Department of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University Haikou 570100 China
| | - Feng Tan
- Department of Parasitology, Wenzhou Medical University Wenzhou 325035 China
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14
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Pietrzak-Makyła B, Korzeniewski K, Gładysz P, Lass A. Detection and Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis Species in Polish Soldiers Stationed in the Republic of Kosovo. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14100. [PMID: 37762408 PMCID: PMC10531639 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241814100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis species (sp.) is one of the less well-understood water- and foodborne protozoa of medical and veterinary importance linked to different gastrointestinal disorders. Soldiers participating in military missions are particularly vulnerable to infection with this protozoa. The present study used molecular methods to detect, identify, and subtype (ST) Blastocystis sp. in Polish soldiers stationed in the Republic of Kosovo. Fecal samples were collected from 192 soldiers on arrival and after four months of stay. After DNA extraction, the barcoding region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene was amplified and sequenced. The DNA of Blastocystis sp. was detected in six (3.13%) and thirty (15.16%) samples in the first and second batch, respectively. Sequencing analysis revealed infections with ST 2, 3, 4, and 7. There was no statistical association between Blastocystis sp. infection and the parasite's ST or the age or rank of soldiers. The results indicate that the visit to a new environment and prolonged stay in the area of military operation in Kosovo resulted in a significant increase in both Blastocystis sp. infections and ST diversity among surveyed soldiers. This shows the need to undertake appropriate countermeasures to reduce Blastocystis infections in the military environment abroad.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Pietrzak-Makyła
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9b, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland; (B.P.-M.); (P.G.)
| | - Krzysztof Korzeniewski
- Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine, Military Institute of Medicine—National Research Institute, Szaserów 128, 04-141 Warsaw, Poland;
| | - Paweł Gładysz
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9b, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland; (B.P.-M.); (P.G.)
| | - Anna Lass
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia, Medical University of Gdańsk, Powstania Styczniowego 9b, 81-519 Gdynia, Poland; (B.P.-M.); (P.G.)
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15
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Garcia-Montoya GM, Galvan-Diaz AL, Alzate JF. Metataxomics reveals Blastocystis subtypes mixed infections in Colombian children. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2023; 113:105478. [PMID: 37406785 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2023.105478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 06/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/01/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp., is an intestinal protist with a broad host range and a high prevalence in human populations worldwide, even in developed Western countries. The publication of conflicting evidence has divided the scientific community about the pathogenic role of this parasite. Even though, genetic studies on Blastocystis sp. revealed associations between genotypes and different pathogenic profiles. Conventionally, the detection of this parasite is based on microscopic or PCR methods, which offer meager or null performance in detecting mixed infections. In this work, we applied a metataxonomic NGS approach targeting the V4 region of the eukaryotic SSU-rRNA gene and classical phylogenetic methods. This approach allowed us to detect Blastocystis sp. in stool samples from infected children living in an urban setting in the city of Medellin attending the same daycare center. Phylogenetic analysis identified the subtypes present in the children as ST1, ST2, and ST3. Besides, mixed infections of subtypes ST1 + ST3 were spotted in 16% of the analyzed stool samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gisela M Garcia-Montoya
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Medellín, Colombia; Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Ana L Galvan-Diaz
- Grupo de Microbiología ambiental, Escuela de Microbiología, Universidad de Antioquia, Colombia
| | - Juan F Alzate
- Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Medellín, Colombia; Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.
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16
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Tantrawatpan C, Vaisusuk K, Thanchomnang T, Pilap W, Sankamethawee W, Suksavate W, Chatan W, Bunchom N, Kaewkla O, Stensvold CR, Saijuntha W. Distribution of Blastocystis subtypes isolated from various animal hosts in Thailand. Res Vet Sci 2023; 162:104939. [PMID: 37453229 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2023.06.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2022] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a parasitic protist of a variety of hosts, including humans. Mapping the distribution of Blastocystis and its genetic variants across different host species can help us understand the epidemiology of this organism and its role in health and disease. This study aimed to identify subtypes of Blastocystis detected in different animal hosts in Thailand. A total of 825 fecal samples belonging to 18 vertebrate orders, 36 families, 68 genera, and 80 species were collected. Of these, 111 specimens were Blastocystis-positive by culture. Seventy-nine samples were subjected to small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA amplification by PCR, and reliable subtype data were obtained for 61 specimens. At least 14 subtypes (ST), namely ST1 to ST10, ST14/ST24/ST25 complex, ST23, ST26, and ST29 were detected. In addition, Blastocystis was found in tortoises. ST1 (3.2%) and ST5 (11.5%) were found in pigs, ST2 (1.6%) and ST3 (3.2%) in non-human primates, ST4 (14.7%) in rodents and ruminants, ST6 (4.9%), ST7 (30%), ST9 (1.6%), and ST29 (1.6%) in birds, ST8 (6.6%) in Green peafowl and East Asian Porcupine, and ST10 (4.9%), ST14/ST24/ST25 (9.8%), ST23 (1.6%) and ST26 (1.6%) in ruminants. The sequence recovered from the elongated tortoises (Indotestudo elongata) (3.2%) was phylogenetically placed within the reptilian cluster of Blastocystis, for which no subtype system is available yet. Of note, we did not obtain Blastocystis sequences from any of the many canids and felids sampled in the study, and our data are in support of host specificity of Blastocystis, according to both colonization and subtype distribution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chairat Tantrawatpan
- Division of Cell Biology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, and Center of Excellence in Stem Cell Research, Thammasat University, Rangsit Campus, Pathum Thani 12120, Thailand
| | - Kotchaphon Vaisusuk
- Department of Veterinary Technology and Veterinary Nursing, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand
| | | | - Warayutt Pilap
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Research, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Wangworn Sankamethawee
- Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand
| | - Warong Suksavate
- Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Wasupon Chatan
- Department of Veterinary Clinic, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44000, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Research, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Naruemon Bunchom
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Onuma Kaewkla
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Research, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand
| | - Christen Rune Stensvold
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, Artillerivej 5, Copenhagen S DK-2300, Denmark
| | - Weerachai Saijuntha
- Walai Rukhavej Botanical Research Institute, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand; Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Research, Mahasarakham University, Maha Sarakham 44150, Thailand.
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17
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Argüello-García R, Carrero JC, Ortega-Pierres MG. Extracellular Cysteine Proteases of Key Intestinal Protozoan Pathogens-Factors Linked to Virulence and Pathogenicity. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:12850. [PMID: 37629029 PMCID: PMC10454693 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241612850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Intestinal diseases caused by protistan parasites of the genera Giardia (giardiasis), Entamoeba (amoebiasis), Cryptosporidium (cryptosporidiosis) and Blastocystis (blastocystosis) represent a major burden in human and animal populations worldwide due to the severity of diarrhea and/or inflammation in susceptible hosts. These pathogens interact with epithelial cells, promoting increased paracellular permeability and enterocyte cell death (mainly apoptosis), which precede physiological and immunological disorders. Some cell-surface-anchored and molecules secreted from these parasites function as virulence markers, of which peptide hydrolases, particularly cysteine proteases (CPs), are abundant and have versatile lytic activities. Upon secretion, CPs can affect host tissues and immune responses beyond the site of parasite colonization, thereby increasing the pathogens' virulence. The four intestinal protists considered here are known to secrete predominantly clan A (C1- and C2-type) CPs, some of which have been characterized. CPs of Giardia duodenalis (e.g., Giardipain-1) and Entamoeba histolytica (EhCPs 1-6 and EhCP112) degrade mucin and villin, cause damage to intercellular junction proteins, induce apoptosis in epithelial cells and degrade immunoglobulins, cytokines and defensins. In Cryptosporidium, five Cryptopains are encoded in its genome, but only Cryptopains 4 and 5 are likely secreted. In Blastocystis sp., a legumain-activated CP, called Blastopain-1, and legumain itself have been detected in the extracellular medium, and the former has similar adverse effects on epithelial integrity and enterocyte survival. Due to their different functions, these enzymes could represent novel drug targets. Indeed, some promising results with CP inhibitors, such as vinyl sulfones (K11777 and WRR605), the garlic derivative, allicin, and purified amoebic CPs have been obtained in experimental models, suggesting that these enzymes might be useful drug targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raúl Argüello-García
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07360, Mexico;
| | - Julio César Carrero
- Departamento de Inmunología, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), México City 04510, Mexico
| | - M. Guadalupe Ortega-Pierres
- Departamento de Genética y Biología Molecular, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, México City 07360, Mexico;
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Kumarasamy V, Rajamanikam A, Anbazhagan D, Atroosh WM, Azzani M, Subramaniyan V, Abdullah SR. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Epidemiology of Human Blastocystis spp. Infection in Malaysia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37624353 PMCID: PMC10457748 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis spp. is a unicellular enteric protozoan parasite in humans with a controversial role in disease etiology. It is common in developing countries among immunocompromised patients and people who have close contact with animals. In this study, we have systematically reviewed previous studies on the distribution and genotypes of human Blastocystis infection in Peninsular Malaysia. Studies examining the prevalence of Blastocystis in diverse demographics, including rural, urban, comorbid conditions, and high-risk populations, were taken into consideration. The infection has been reported in nine states; the total percentage of infection was 17.8% (1671/9397), with the most cases in Pahang (27.3%) and the least in Johor (3.4%). Molecular studies revealed the presence of six subtypes: ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST6. ST3 was reported as the predominant subtype in all the states, with a prevalence of 54.7% (338/618). The findings provide greater clarity on the epidemiology of Blastocystis in Malaysia, which will help in policy making towards planning and strategizing control measures against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinoth Kumarasamy
- Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Arutchelvan Rajamanikam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Deepa Anbazhagan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, International Medical School (IMS), Management & Science University (MSU), Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wahib Mohammed Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Meram Azzani
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Syamsa Rizal Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
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Hernández PC, Maloney JG, Molokin A, George NS, Morales L, Chaparro-Olaya J, Santin M. Exploring Blastocystis genetic diversity in rural schoolchildren from Colombia using next-generation amplicon sequencing reveals significant associations between contact with animals and infection risk. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07841-3. [PMID: 37156906 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07841-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist with a global distribution in humans and many other animals. Yet, the status of Blastocystis as a pathogen, the risk factors associated with its transmission, and its zoonotic potential remain ill-defined. Here, we explored subtype (ST) diversity and potential risk factors for Blastocystis infection in 98 children from Apulo, Colombia. Samples were screened for Blastocystis via PCR, and ST identification was performed through next-generation amplicon sequencing (NGS). Associations between the presence of Blastocystis and individual STs and sociodemographic variables were assessed via logistic regression analyses. Seventy-one samples (72.4%) were Blastocystis-positive, and NGS revealed the presence of five STs (ST1-ST5). ST1, ST2, and ST3 were common and observed in nearly equal proportions (~ 40%), while samples with ST4 (1.4%) and ST5 (5.6%) were comparatively rare. The presence of mixed STs in the same sample was also common (28.2%). Comparisons among children within the same household identified that shared ST profiles were common, but diversity within family units was also observed. Logistic regression analyses returned significant associations between the presence of Blastocystis, individual subtypes, or mixed subtypes for several variables. Intriguingly, the presence of animals was one of the most common significant associations. Taken together, these data represent an important step forward in understanding both the potential routes and risk factors that may influence Blastocystis transmission and will be useful in shaping future studies which seek to clarify the relationships between STs, pathogenicity, and zoonotic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C Hernández
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Aleksey Molokin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Nadja S George
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA
| | - Liliana Morales
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jacqueline Chaparro-Olaya
- Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia.
| | - Monica Santin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, 20705, USA.
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Rondón S, Cavallero S, Link A, González C, D'Amelio S. Prevalence and Molecular Characterisation of Blastocystis sp. Infecting Free-Ranging Primates in Colombia. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12040569. [PMID: 37111455 PMCID: PMC10143058 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12040569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Infection with Blastocystis sp. has been reported in free-living and captive non-human primates (NHPs); however, surveys on Blastocystis sp. from north-western South America are scarce. This study aimed to identify Blastocystis sp. in free-ranging NHPs living in Colombia. A total of 212 faecal samples were collected from Ateles hybridus, Cebus versicolor, Alouatta seniculus, Aotus griseimembra, Sapajus apella, and Saimiri cassiquiarensis. Smears and flotation were used for morphological identification. For samples microscopically classified as positive for Blastocystis sp., we used conventional PCR to amplify and sequence two regions of the SSU rRNA gene and used Maximum Likelihood methods and Median Joining Network analyses for phylogenetic analyses. Via microscopy, 64 samples were Blastocystis sp. positive. Through molecular analyses, 18 sequences of Blastocystis sp. subtype 8 (ST8) were obtained. Strain and allele assignment together with a comparative phylogenetic approach confirmed that the sequences were ST8. Alleles 21, 156, and 157 were detected. Median Joining network analyses showed one highly frequent haplotype shared by specimens from Colombia and Peru and close relationships between haplotypes circulating in NHPs from Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, and Mexico. This survey could support the elaboration of a more accurate epidemiological picture of the Blastocystis sp. infecting NHPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rondón
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Andrés Link
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología (LEBTYP), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical (CIMPAT), Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia
| | - Stefano D'Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy
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Soleimani Jevinani S, Mohammad Rahimi H, Asri N, Rostami-Nejad M, Ahmadipour S, Mirjalali H. Molecular epidemiology and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes in celiac patients; a case control study. Microb Pathog 2023; 179:106086. [PMID: 36963704 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 03/26/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist, reported from symptomatic and asymptomatic subjects. Blastocystis sp. has been reported from a broad spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders. Celiac disease (CD) is an autoimmune disorder of the small intestine, which leads to the lack of tolerance against gluten. Long-term following of gluten-free diet in CD patients decreases the gut microbiota restoration and probably decreases the chance of Blastocystis sp. colonization. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes in CD patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Stool samples were collected from 238 participants including 92 confirmed CD patients and 146 healthy subjects. upon DNA extraction, the presence of Blastocystis sp. was evaluated using amplification of discriminative regions of the small ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene. To characterize subtypes and alleles, amplified fragments were sequenced. Phylogenetic trees were constructed to visualize subtype correlation. Our findings showed that 21% (50) of samples including 16.3% (15/92) and 23.97% (35/146) were positive for Blastocystis sp. in CD patients and healthy controls, respectively. Except family relationship, other variables were not statistical correlated with the presence of Blastocystis sp.. Totally, 25 samples were successfully sequenced. Accordingly, ST1, ST2, and ST3 were present in 8 (32%), 9 (36%), and 8 (32%) of the samples, respectively. Allele discrimination showed that all ST1 were allele 4; alleles 11, 9, and 12 were retrieved from ST2, and alleles 34, 36, and 38 were observed in ST3. The relationship between colonization of Blastocystis sp. and alteration in the gut microbiota composition is indeterminate, however, this hypothesis that lower prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in CD patients who follow a gluten-free diet affect the colonization of Blastocystis sp. via alteration in the gut microbiota composition could be interesting for further investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Nastaran Asri
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rostami-Nejad
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shokoufeh Ahmadipour
- Department of Pediatric, Faculty of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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22
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Hussein EM, Muhammad MAA, Hussein AM, Elzagawy SM, Zaki WM, Temsah AG, Badr MS, Alabbassy MM. Levels of Genetic Variants Among Symptomatic Blastocystis Subtypes and their Relationship to Mucosal Immune Surveillance in the Precancerous Colons of Experimentally Infected Rats. Acta Parasitol 2023; 68:70-83. [PMID: 36380160 PMCID: PMC10011339 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-022-00628-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The relationship between the genetic diversity of Blastocystis and immune surveillance in precancerous colons with blastocystosis is still under investigation. This study aimed to identify the genetic Blastocystis variants among 54 symptomatic human isolates and their relationship to mucosal immune surveillance in the precancerous polyps of experimentally infected rats. METHODS Polymerase chain reaction and high-resolution melting (PCR/HRM) curves discriminated human symptomatic Blastocystis isolates into subtypes (STs)/intrasubtypes, which were orally administered to rats to induce experimental infection. Then, the mucosal immune responses of the infected colons were evaluated in relation to polyp formation through immunostaining to identify mucus MUC2 and determine mucosal immune cell (goblet, lymphocyte and mast) counts, secretory IgA levels and parasitic intestinal invasion. RESULTS ST1, ST3, and ST4 were found in 18.5% (10/54), 54.7% (29/54), and 27.8% (15/54) of the samples, respectively. Then, the HRM curve discriminated ST3 into the wild, mutant, and heterozygous [17/54 (31.5%), 5/54 (9.3%), and 7/54 (12.9%)] intrasubtypes. ST1 and ST4 had no genetic variations. Precancerous polyps were detected in the colons of 40.5% of the infected rats. ST1 constituted 14.7% of these cases, while the wild, mutant, and heterozygous intrasubtypes of ST3 showed polyps in 12.9%, 5.5%, and 5.5% of cases, respectively. Only 1.9% of the polyps were related to ST4. MUC2 showed weak immunostaining in 44.5% of the infected colons, and 38.9% were polyp inducers. Low goblet cell numbers and high interepithelial lymphocyte counts were significantly associated with polyp formation, particularly with ST1 and wild ST3. Among the polyp inducers, high numbers of mast cells were detected in wild ST3 and ST4, while a low number was found with heterozygous ST3. The level of secretory IgA was low in polyp-inducing STs. Most of the results were statistically significant. CONCLUSION Immunosurveillance showed a potential relationship between ST1 and the ST3 intrasubtypes and precancerous polyps. This relationship may provide insight into the prevention and/or development of new immunotherapeutic strategies to combat colorectal cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman M Hussein
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt.
| | - Muhammad A A Muhammad
- Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal, University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Abdalla M Hussein
- Bio-Physics Department, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, 11652, Egypt
| | - Sherine M Elzagawy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Wafaa M Zaki
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
| | - Ashraf G Temsah
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Damietta Branch, AL Azhar University, Damietta, Egypt
| | - Mohamed S Badr
- Medical Genetic Centre, Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Maha M Alabbassy
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, 41522, Egypt
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23
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Beyhan YE, Güven İ, Aydın M. Detection of Blastocystis sp. in ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and chronic diarrheal patients by microscopy, culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Microb Pathog 2023; 177:106039. [PMID: 36863418 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a zoonotic parasite that is common in humans and animals and settles in the large intestine. The parasite can cause various gastrointestinal system complaints such as indigestion, diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating, nausea and vomiting. The aim of this study is to determine the distribution of Blastocystis in patients diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and diarrhea from the gastroenterology outpatient clinic and to compare the diagnostic value of the most preferred methods. A total of 100 patients, 47 men and 53 women, were included in the study. Of the cases, 61 had diarrhea, 35 had ulcerative colitis (UC) and four had Crohn's disease. Stool samples of the patients were analyzed by as direct microscopic examination (DM), culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). A total of 42% positivity was detected, 29% positivity in DM and trichrome staining, 28% in culture and 41% in qPCR. 40.4% (20/47) of men and 37.7% (22/53) of women were found to be infected. Blastocystis sp. was found in 75% of Crohn's, 42.6% of diarrheal and 37.1% of UC patients. Diarrhea cases are more common with UC and there is a close relationship between Crohn's and Blastocystis positivity. While DM and trichrome staining showed a sensitivity of 69%, PCR test was found to be the most sensitive diagnostic method with approximately 98%. Diarrhea and UC are often seen together. A close relationship was detected between Crohn's disease and Blastocystis. High prevalence of Blastocystis in cases with clinical symptoms reveals the importance of the parasite. There is a need for studies on the pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp. in various gastrointestinal cases, and it is thought that molecular techniques should be used since PCR is seen to be a much more sensitive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunus Emre Beyhan
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey.
| | - İrem Güven
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey
| | - Mesut Aydın
- Department of Gastroenterology, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Faculty of Medicine, Van, Turkey
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Distribution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Subtypes and Alleles of Blastocystis sp. in the Stool Samples Collected from Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints in İzmir, Turkey. Acta Parasitol 2023:10.1007/s11686-023-00665-2. [PMID: 36806111 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00665-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent intestinal protozoa found in humans and many other animals. The present study aimed to examine the distribution and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal complaints in İzmir, Turkey. METHODS All stool samples of 439 patients with gastrointestinal complaints were examined by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. To investigate the presence of Blastocystis sp. in stool samples, DNA was isolated, and PCR was performed with the barcode region in the SSU rRNA gene. PCR positive samples were sequenced to identify subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp. RESULTS The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was found to be 16.6% (73/439) in patients with gastrointestinal complaints in İzmir, Turkey. Three different Blastocystis sp. subtypes were identified. ST3 (28/55; 51.0%) was the most common subtype followed by ST2 (19/55; 34.5%) and ST1 (8/55; 14.5%). Itching and diarrhea were the most prominent clinical symptoms in Blastocystis sp. positive patients. When clinical symptoms and subtypes were compared, diarrhea was found in 62.5%, 47.4%, and 46.4% of patients with ST1, ST2, and ST3 subtypes, respectively. In addition, itching was found in 37.5%, 32.1%, and 21.1% of patients with ST1, ST3, and ST2, respectively. Six distinct alleles were identified by allele analysis of Blastocystis 18S rRNA gene: allele 4 for ST1, alleles 9, 11, and 12 for ST2, and alleles 34 and 36 for ST3. In this study, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 16 of 21 districts, including the central and rural districts of İzmir. Although ST1 was detected in central districts, it was not found in rural districts. CONCLUSION This study provides comprehensive data on the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of the genetic diversity at the level of subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp. in different districts of İzmir province in Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which evaluates the distribution of subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp. according to PCR and SSU rRNA gene sequencing in patients with gastrointestinal complaints in different districts of İzmir province in Turkey.
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Higuera A, Salas-Leiva DE, Curtis B, Patiño LH, Zhao D, Jerlström-Hultqvist J, Dlutek M, Muñoz M, Roger AJ, Ramírez JD. Draft genomes of Blastocystis subtypes from human samples of Colombia. Parasit Vectors 2023; 16:52. [PMID: 36732768 PMCID: PMC9896827 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05619-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/14/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is one of the most common eukaryotic microorganisms colonizing the intestines of both humans and animals, but the conditions under which it may be a pathogen are unclear. METHODS To study the genomic characteristics of circulating subtypes (ST) in Colombia, we established nine xenic cultures from Blastocystis isolated from human fecal samples, we identified 10 different subtypes, since one sample had a mixed infection. Thus, the genomes of the subtypes ST1 (n = 3), ST2 (n = 1), ST3 (n = 2), ST6 (n = 1), ST7 (n = 1), and ST8 (n = 2) were sequenced using Illumina and Oxford Nanopore Technologies (ONT). RESULTS Analyses of these draft nuclear genomes indicated remarkable diversity in terms of genome size and guanine-cytosine (GC) content among the compared STs. Illumina sequencing-only draft genomes contained 824 to 2077 scaffolds, with total genome size ranging from 12 to 13.2 Mb and N50 values ranging from 10,585 to 29,404 base pairs (bp). The genome of one ST1 isolate was sequenced using ONT. This assembly was more contiguous, with a size of 20 million base pairs (Mb) spread over 116 scaffolds, and an N50 of 248,997 bp. CONCLUSION This work represents one of the few large-scale comparative genomic analyses of Blastocystis isolates, providing an additional glimpse into its genomic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Higuera
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dayana E. Salas-Leiva
- grid.5335.00000000121885934Department of Biochemistry, University of Cambridge, Hopkins Building, Downing Site, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, CB2 1QW United Kingdom
| | - Bruce Curtis
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Luz H. Patiño
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Dandan Zhao
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Jon Jerlström-Hultqvist
- grid.8993.b0000 0004 1936 9457Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, BMC, Uppsala Universitet, Box 596, 751 24 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Marlena Dlutek
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Marina Muñoz
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrew J. Roger
- grid.55602.340000 0004 1936 8200Institute for Comparative Genomics (ICG), Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS B3H 4R2 Canada
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- grid.412191.e0000 0001 2205 5940Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia ,grid.59734.3c0000 0001 0670 2351Molecular Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Pathology, Molecular and Cell-Based Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York City, NY USA
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Jassim ZN, Shakir MJ, Al-Zuheiry MS. MOLECULAR STUDY OF BLASTOCYSTIS HOMINIS ISOLATED FROM DIFFERENT REGIONS OF DIYALA GOVERNORATE. WIADOMOSCI LEKARSKIE (WARSAW, POLAND : 1960) 2023; 75:2901-2906. [PMID: 36723301 DOI: 10.36740/wlek202212102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim: To detect the infection rate of Blastocystis hominis in children less than 10 years old with diarrhea in Diyalaby polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method, to determine the subtype of Blastocystis hominis by sequencing the product of the positive result, and to determine the association between Blastocystis hominis infection and different factors such as gender, age, the level of mother education and the presence or absence animals in their houses. PATIENTS AND METHODS Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on children with diarrhea at Al-Batool Teaching Hospital in Diyala governorate, during the period from November 2020 to April 2021, a total of 100 children 55 males and 45 females, then, stool samples were collected and examined by conventional polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Results: The rate of infection with the parasite Blastocystis hominis was 8%, 8 out of 100. The infection was higher among females 62.5% than to males 37.5%, while the positive result was higher in the age group less than two years 75%, the highest percentage occur with patient whose mothers were incomplete primary and primary education was reached 37.5% and 25%; respectively and the study showed the highest percentage was with those who kept animals at homes was 75%. CONCLUSION Conclusions: According to the genetic analysis of the sequence of eight samples that were positive for Blastocystis hominis parasite using the conventional polymerase chain reaction and they were back to the subtypes 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zainab Naseef Jassim
- DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF DIYALA, BAQUBAH, IRAQ
| | - Mohammed J Shakir
- DEPARTMENT OF MICROBIOLOGY, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF DIYALA, BAQUBAH, IRAQ
| | - Mehdi Sh Al-Zuheiry
- DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS, COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, UNIVERSITY OF DIYALA, BAQUBAH, IRAQ
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Zhang K, Qin Z, Qin H, Wang Y, Wang L, Fu Y, Hou C, Ji C, Yuan Y, Zhang L. First detection of Blastocystis sp. in migratory whooper swans ( Cygnus cygnus) in China. One Health 2023; 16:100486. [PMID: 36683961 PMCID: PMC9846003 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a usual intestinal protist that always found in humans and various animals. Currently, the prevalence of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) is unknown. In our research, we aimed to determine the occurrence, prevalence, subtype distribution and dynamic transmission mechanisms of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan in China. We also assessed the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates, as well as possible routes of transmission and impact of this organism on One Health perspective. Fecal samples (n = 770) were collected from whooper swans inhabiting the Sanmenxia Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park, China. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis was 11.6% (89/770). We identified 9 subtypes of Blastocystis sp., including 5 zoonotic subtypes [ST1 (Cakir et al., 2019 (8)), ST4 (Selma and Karanis, 2011 (4)), ST5 (Stensvold et al., 2009 (1)), ST6 (Fare et al., 2019 (5)) and ST7(58)] and 3 host-specific subtypes [ST10 (Zhao et al., 2018 (7)), ST14 (Tan et al., 2010 (2)), ST23 (Wang et al., 2018 (3)), and ST25 (Stensvold et al., 2009 (1))]. Subtypes ST4, ST5, ST6, ST10, ST14, ST23, and ST25 were first identified in the whooper swan. Among these subtypes, ST23 and ST25 were identified in birds for the first time, indicating that these subtypes are expanding their host range. So far, this is the first research reporting on the prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan in China. The findings obtained in this study will provide new insights into the genetic diversity and transmission routes of Blastocystis, and the possible public health concerns posed by this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Ziyang Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Huikai Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Yinlin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Luyang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Yin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Changjiang Hou
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Chenxiao Ji
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China,Corresponding author at: College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengzhou New District, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.
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Abu A, Sutthikornchai C, Mahittikorn A, Koompapong K, Chiabchalard R, Arthan D, Soonthornworasiri N, Popruk S. Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Isolated from School-Aged Children in the Thai-Myanmar Border, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 20:204. [PMID: 36612533 PMCID: PMC9819352 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20010204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is one of the most common enteric protozoa that inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and different animals. Moreover, it has a worldwide geographic distribution. Its main mode of transmission is via the fecal-oral route. At present, 26 subtypes are widely distributed across both humans and animals. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis among school-aged children living on the Thai-Myanmar border, Ratchaburi province, Thailand. In total, 508 samples were collected from children at six schools. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was amplified and sequenced in the 600 bp barcode region of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA). The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 3.35% (17/508). ST3 (11/17) was the most predominant subtype, followed by ST1 (5/17) and ST2 (1/17). A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the Tamura92+G+I model using the maximum-likelihood algorithm. Surprisingly, all sequences of the ST3-positive samples were closely correlated with the cattle-derived sequence. Meanwhile, all sequences of the Blastocystis ST1-positive samples were closely correlated with the human-derived sequence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to validate the zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis. Based on our findings, personal hygiene and sanitation should be improved to promote better health in children in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanee Abu
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Chantira Sutthikornchai
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Aongart Mahittikorn
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Khuanchai Koompapong
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Rachatawan Chiabchalard
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Dumrongkiet Arthan
- Department of Tropical Nutrition and Food Science, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Ngamphol Soonthornworasiri
- Department of Tropical Hygiene, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
| | - Supaluk Popruk
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
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Can the genetic variability of Blastocystis sp. be associated with the climatic region of its human carriers? INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2022; 106:105383. [PMID: 36336275 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a widespread microorganism that colonizes the intestinal tract of several animals, including human beings, while its pathogenic role in humans is still under debate. The objective of the present study was to describe the frequency of Blastocystis sp. subtypes (STs) and their genetic variation within and among samples recovered from scholars inhabiting two rural villages with tropical climates and compare this information with previously documented data from arid and temperate zones in Mexico. Blastocystis sp. positive samples and ST identification were achieved by coprological analysis screening and Polymerase Chain Reaction-sequencing, respectively. Classical population genetics indexes (nucleotide diversity (π), haplotype polymorphism (θ), gene flow (Nm), genetic differentiation (ST), and Tajima's D) were calculated by comparing the sequences here obtained (n = 42) and those from previous studies from the arid (n = 80) and temperate (n = 61) climates from Mexico. Although Blastocystis sp. was the parasite most frequently found between 33% and 26% in both communities, only STs 1-3 were found. Haplotype network inference of Blastocystis sp. STs showed different haplotype profiles among STs vs. climate zones, although no specific haplotypes were identified for any particular climatic zone. Population genetics indexes showed different values within STs and climate zones (π and θ values ranged from 0.004 to 0.147; Nm > 4 and ST from 0.006 to 0.12). Our results show that Blastocystis sp. subtypes exhibit a different genetic variability profile according to the climate zone, suggesting a balancing process between the genetic variability within the Blastocystis sp. subtype and the number of haplotypes identified in each climate.
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Dubik M, Pilecki B, Moeller JB. Commensal Intestinal Protozoa-Underestimated Members of the Gut Microbial Community. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:1742. [PMID: 36552252 PMCID: PMC9774987 DOI: 10.3390/biology11121742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2022] [Revised: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
The human gastrointestinal microbiota contains a diverse consortium of microbes, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and fungi. Through millennia of co-evolution, the host-microbiota interactions have shaped the immune system to both tolerate and maintain the symbiotic relationship with commensal microbiota, while exerting protective responses against invading pathogens. Microbiome research is dominated by studies describing the impact of prokaryotic bacteria on gut immunity with a limited understanding of their relationship with other integral microbiota constituents. However, converging evidence shows that eukaryotic organisms, such as commensal protozoa, can play an important role in modulating intestinal immune responses as well as influencing the overall health of the host. The presence of several protozoa species has recently been shown to be a common occurrence in healthy populations worldwide, suggesting that many of these are commensals rather than invading pathogens. This review aims to discuss the most recent, conflicting findings regarding the role of intestinal protozoa in gut homeostasis, interactions between intestinal protozoa and the bacterial microbiota, as well as potential immunological consequences of protozoa colonization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Magdalena Dubik
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Bartosz Pilecki
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
| | - Jesper Bonnet Moeller
- Department of Cancer and Inflammation Research, Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Southern Denmark, 5000 Odense, Denmark
- Danish Institute for Advanced Study, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
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Barati M, KarimiPourSaryazdi A, Rahmanian V, Bahadory S, Abdoli A, Rezanezhad H, Solhjoo K, Taghipour A. Global prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in rodents, birds, and water supplies: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Prev Vet Med 2022; 208:105770. [PMID: 36181747 DOI: 10.1016/j.prevetmed.2022.105770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 09/23/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Animals such as rodents and birds may play a key role in the distribution of Blastocystis sp., either as introducers of the parasite into the water or as receptors of an infection already established in the water. Hence, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence and subtype distributions of Blastocystis sp. in rodents, birds, and water supplies at a global scale through a systematic review and meta-analysis approach. The standard protocol of preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) statements were applied. Eligible prevalence studies on Blastocystis sp. in rodents, birds, and water supplies, published between 1 January 2000 and 20 January 2022 were collected using a systematic literature search in online databases (Scopus and Web of Science) and search engines (PubMed and Google Scholar). Inclusion and exclusion criteria were followed. The point estimates and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using a random-effects model. The variances between studies (heterogeneity) were computed by I2 index. In total, 20 articles (24 datasets) for birds, 18 articles (18 datasets) for rodents, and 10 articles (12 datasets) for water supply were included for the final meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in birds, rodents, and water was estimated to be 29% (95% CI 12-47%), 18% (95% CI 12-23%), and 10% (95% CI 6%-15%), respectively. Considering the subtypes, Blastocystis sp. with subtypes ST7 in birds, ST4 in rodents, and ST1 in water supplies were the highest reported subtypes. The present results highlight the role of birds, rodents, and water as a reservoir for human-infected Blastocystis sp. Therefore, this global estimate could be beneficial for preventive and control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Barati
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir KarimiPourSaryazdi
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Vahid Rahmanian
- Research Center for Social Determinants of Health, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Amir Abdoli
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
| | - Hassan Rezanezhad
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Kavous Solhjoo
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran; Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran.
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Evaluation of association with subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis with chronic spontaneous urticaria. Acta Trop 2022; 231:106455. [PMID: 35413246 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a single-celled parasite commonly found in humans and its pathogenic role is still controversial. In recent years, some studies have suggested that Blastocystis may be a possible agent of gastrointestinal and dermatological symptoms such as acute or chronic urticaria, angioedema, rash, itch, palmoplantar, and diffuse pruritus. We aimed to investigate whether there is a relationship between Blastocystis subtypes and alleles in patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) as a case-control study. In this study, stool samples were collected from patients with CSU (n=135) and healthy individuals (n=54). The presence of Blastocystis was investigated using the direct saline smear, Lugol's iodine staining, trichrome staining, Jones' medium culture and PCR assays in stool samples and subtypes (STs) were determined by sequencing according to DNA barcoding. The presence of Blastocystis was identified in 30.4% (64/210) the stool samples, including 31.9% (43/135) of the patients with CSU and 14.8% (8/54) of the control group. Moreover, it was found statistically significant the presence of Blastocystis in terms of both groups (p<0.018). ST3 was detected in 45.9% and 62.5 % as the most prevalent subtype the patients with CSU and the control group, respectively. ST1 (18.9%), ST2 (27%) and ST7 (8.1%) was identified in the patients with CSU group. There was no statistically significant correlation between Blastocystis subtypes and both the groups (p<0.240, p<0.323). Allele 4 for ST1; alleles 9, 10, 11 and 12 for ST2; alleles 34, 36 and 38 for ST3; alleles 41 and 101 for ST7 were detected. Allele 34 (ST3) was found significant in the patients with CSU as compared with control group (p<0.020). Moreover, statistically significant association was found between total IgE value and the certain subtypes (ST2 and ST3) (p<0.0001). As a result of this study, the presence of Blastocystis ST3 allele 34 significantly associated with chronic spontaneous urticaria was revealed.
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Shams M, Shamsi L, Yousefi A, Sadrebazzaz A, Asghari A, Mohammadi-Ghalehbin B, Shahabi S, Hatam G. Current global status, subtype distribution and zoonotic significance of Blastocystis in dogs and cats: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:225. [PMID: 35733146 PMCID: PMC9215001 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-022-05351-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis is a common intestinal protozoa found in animal and human fecal samples, with over 1 billion individuals infected worldwide. Since domestication, dogs and cats have had a close bond with humans. However, their close proximity poses a potential health risk since they may harbor several zoonotic agents. A global estimate of Blastocystis infection and subtype (ST) distribution in dogs and cats would therefore be of great health importance to humans. Methods We performed a comprehensive systematic search of four English-language databases (PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science) for relevant articles up to 8 November 2021. The random-effects model was used to make pooled estimates with confidence intervals (CIs). Results In total, we identified 49 publications that met our inclusion criteria and subsequently analyzed the 65 datasets in these articles, of which 23 and 42 datasets were on cats and dogs, respectively. Among the 2934 cats included in the 23 datasets, which involved 16 countries, the prevalence rate of Blastocystis infection was 9.3% (95% CI 5.3–15.9%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was slightly lower [7%, 95% CI 4.7–10.4%) among the 7946 dogs included in the 42 datasets, involving 23 countries. The sensitivity analysis showed that no remarkable variation in the estimates upon the stepwise removal of each dataset. Higher ST diversity was found among the examined dogs (ST1-8, ST10, ST23, ST24) than among cats (ST1-4, ST10, ST14). Among dogs, ST3 was the most frequent ST (41.3%), followed by ST2 (39.3%), ST1 (30.9%), ST4 (13.4%), ST8 (12.7%), ST10 (11%) and ST5 (8.1%). Also among dogs, each of ST6, ST7, ST23 and ST24 was observed in only one study. Of the ST found in the cats examined, ST4 (29.5%), followed by ST10 (22.5%), ST1 (19.8%) and ST3 (17.6%) were the most common. A single study also reported the presence of both ST2 and ST14 in cats. With respect to zoonotic Blastocystis STs (ST1–ST9 and ST12), eight were reported from dogs (ST1-ST8) and four were isolated from cats (ST1–ST4), showing the implication of dog and cats in zoonotic transmission. Conclusions Taken together, our results show that elucidation of the true epidemiology and ST distribution of Blastocystis in dogs and cats demands more comprehensive studies, particularly in the negelected regions of the world. Graphical Abstract ![]()
Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13071-022-05351-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Laya Shamsi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran
| | - Amirhosein Yousefi
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Medicine, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Alireza Sadrebazzaz
- Education and Extension Organization, Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Asghari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Saeed Shahabi
- Department of Biology and Control of Disease Vectors, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Hatam
- Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Öncü Öner T, Karakavuk M, Değirmenci Döşkaya A, Güvendi M, Gül A, Köseoğlu AE, Erkunt Alak S, Gürüz AY, Ün C, Döşkaya M, Can H. Molecular prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and subtype diversity in fecal samples collected from cattle in dairy farms in Turkey. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 87:101850. [PMID: 35751914 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101850] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Close contact with infected animals is one of the main risk factors for zoonotic transmission of enteric protozoan parasite Blastocystis and thus, several animal species are being screened for the detection of the zoonotic subtypes. For this purpose, 22 fecal samples were collected from healthy cattle aged > 2 months and 39 fecal samples were also collected from cattle (aged <2 months) which are treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea. Later, Blastocystis sp. and subtypes were investigated by a PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene and subsequently by sequencing. Among the 22 fecal samples collected from healthy cattle, Blastocystis was detected in 12 of them with a prevalence rate of 54.5 %. Among Blastocystis-positive samples, five different subtypes (ST3, ST5, ST10, ST12, and ST13) were detected. The predominant subtype was ST10 (allele 152) with a prevalence rate of 50 % (6/12). In the other group treated with TMP-SMX due to diarrhea, Blastocystis was detected in only one (2.56 %;1/39) fecal sample and its subtype was ST1 (allele 2). High prevalence of Blastocystis as well as predominance of ST10 (allele 152) were detected in healthy cattle. The identification of zoonotic ST1, ST3, ST5 and ST12 subtypes among the detected subtypes with a high prevalence (46.1 %; 6/13) showed the importance of cattle as a source for transmission of Blastocystis to humans. It was observed that the efficiency of TMP-SMX on the clearance of Blastocystis in cattle was very strong. Moreover, to our knowledge, this is the first study detecting Blastocystis ST13 subtype in the cattle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tülay Öncü Öner
- Manisa Celal Bayar University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Muhammet Karakavuk
- Ege University Odemis Vocational School, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aysu Değirmenci Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mervenur Güvendi
- Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Aytül Gül
- Ege University Faculty of Engineering Department of Bioengineering, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Efe Köseoğlu
- Biruni University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Sedef Erkunt Alak
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Adnan Yüksel Gürüz
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Cemal Ün
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Mert Döşkaya
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Medicine Department of Parasitology, İzmir, Turkey
| | - Hüseyin Can
- Ege University Vaccine Development Application and Research Center, İzmir, Turkey; Ege University Faculty of Science Department of Biology Molecular Biology Section, İzmir, Turkey.
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Mahdavi F, Asghari A, Shahabi S, Shamsi L, Soltani-Jazi F, Sadrebazzaz A, Shams M. Distribution, genetic diversity, and zoonotic significance of Blastocystis subtypes in pet dogs. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 88:101848. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Rudzińska M, Kowalewska B, Kurpas M, Szostakowska B. Rare Occurrence of Blastocystis in Pet Animals and Their Owners in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland in the Light of Literature Data. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11112975. [PMID: 35683363 PMCID: PMC9181306 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11112975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is an intestinal microeukaryote with ambiguous pathogenicity, commonly detected in human feces worldwide. It comprises at least 28 genetically diverse subtypes (STs), 12 of which also occur in a wide range of animal species, giving rise to suspicion of zoonotic transmission. To investigate this, we conducted a molecular study of 145 stool samples of pet animals, and 67 of their owners, living in an urban area in Poland. Blastocystis was detected in only three (2.1%) animal samples (of two bearded agamas and a leopard gecko), while all dogs, cats, and pet rodents were Blastocystis-negative. Blastocystis was also present in three (4.5%) owners of animals, but they were cat owners, not reptile owners, and the subtypes identified in them differed significantly from those of reptiles. Additionally, the frequency of Blastocystis in different groups of dogs (depending on how they were kept) was analyzed. This work is the first to find Blastocystis in pet reptiles, and we encourage further investigation of Blastocystis in this poorly examined group of animals, as well as continued study on the transmission of this microorganism between humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rudzińska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (M.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Beata Kowalewska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (M.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Monika Kurpas
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Beata Szostakowska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-349-19-44
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Köster PC, Lapuente J, Pizarro A, Prieto-Pérez L, Pérez-Tanoira R, Dashti A, Bailo B, Muadica AS, González-Barrio D, Calero-Bernal R, Ponce-Gordo F, Carmena D. Presence and genetic diversity of enteric protists in captive and semi-captive non-human primates in côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Peru. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2022; 17:26-34. [PMID: 34976722 PMCID: PMC8688894 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Little information is currently available on the occurrence and genetic diversity of pathogenic and commensal protist species in captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHP) resident in zoological gardens or sanctuaries in low- and medium-income countries. In this molecular-based study, we prospectively collected individual faecal samples from apparently healthy NHP at the Abidjan Zoological Garden (AZG) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Tacugama Sanctuary (TS) in Sierra Leone, and the Quistococha Zoological Garden (QZG) in Peru between November 2018 and February 2020. We evaluated for the presence of pathogenic (Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Balantioides coli) and commensal (Entamoeba dispar, Troglodytella abrassarti) protist species using PCR methods and Sanger sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent species found (25.9%, 30/116), followed by Blastocystis sp. (22.4%, 26/116), and E. dispar (18.1%, 21/116). We detected E. bieneusi (4.2%, 1/24) and T. abrassarti (12.5%, 3/24) only on NHP from AZG. Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica, and B. coli were undetected at the three sampling sites investigated here. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of zoonotic sub-assemblages BIII (n = 1) in AZG and BIV (n = 1) in TS within G. duodenalis. We identified Blastocystis subtype ST3 (100%, 6/6) in AZG, ST1 (80.0%, 12/15), ST2 (6.7%, 1/15), and ST3 (13.3%, 2/15) in TS, and ST2 (80.0%, 4/5) and ST3 (20.0%, 1/5) in QZG. The only E. bieneusi isolate detected here was identified as zoonotic genotype CAF4. Our PCR-based data indicate that potentially pathogenic protist species including G. duodenalis, Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi, and B. coli are present at variable rates in the three NHP populations investigated here. The identification of zoonotic genotypes within these species indicates that human-NHP transmission is possible, although the extent and directionality of these events need to be elucidated in future molecular surveys. Giardia and Blastocystis are highly prevalent in confined non-human primates. Diarrhoea-causing Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba histolytica were undetected. First description of Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype CAF4 in non-human primates. Confined non-human primates harbour protist species with zoonotic potential. Cross-species (including human) transmission is possible in zoos and sanctuaries.
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Relationship Among Blastocystis, the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes Ratio and Chronic Stress in Mexican University Students. Curr Microbiol 2022; 79:72. [PMID: 35067729 PMCID: PMC8784498 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-021-02756-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The role played by Blastocystis in humans has been a subject of discussion due to its intestinal effects and modifications in the intestinal microbiota. We aimed to analyze the relationship between Blastocystis subtypes ST1-4 and 7, the Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes ratio (F/B ratio) of fecal microbiota, and chronic stress in university students. This study had a cross-sectional design with a sample of 202 students. We analyzed fecal and hair samples, and stress inventories were applied to the students. The results showed a frequency of Blastocystis-colonized students of 52.97%. Regarding fecal microbiota, a median RAU of 0.801 for Firmicutes and 0.82 of Bacteroidetes were obtained, with an F/B ratio of 0.83. A low F/B ratio (66.04%) was more frequent in Blastocystis-colonized students, whereas a high F/B ratio (68.09%) (p = < 0.0001) was found in the Blastocystis-non-colonized. Only Blastocystis ST3 did not significantly correlate with a low F/B ratio (p = 0.290). The ST4 was associated with lower values of cortisol (p = 0.030), psychological stress (p = 0.040), and lower frequency of constipation (p = 0.010). Only two students with the ST1 had abdominal pain (p = 0.007). Our results suggest that colonization by Blastocystis subtypes can modify the intestinal microbiota due to a decreased ratio between the two most representative phyla (F/B). Also, the results of this study show that ST4 colonization is related to a lower level of chronic stress.
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Jinatham V, Maxamhud S, Popluechai S, Tsaousis AD, Gentekaki E. Blastocystis One Health Approach in a Rural Community of Northern Thailand: Prevalence, Subtypes and Novel Transmission Routes. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:746340. [PMID: 34956115 PMCID: PMC8696170 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.746340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is the most commonly found eukaryote in the gut of humans and other animals. This protist is extremely heterogeneous genetically and is classified into 28 subtypes (STs) based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Numerous studies exist on prevalence of the organism, which usually focus on either humans or animals or the environment, while only a handful investigates all three sources simultaneously. Consequently, understanding of Blastocystis transmission dynamics remains inadequate. Our aim was to explore Blastocystis under the One Health perspective using a rural community in northern Thailand as our study area. We surveyed human, other animal and environmental samples using both morphological and molecular approaches. Prevalence rates of Blastocystis were 73% in human hosts (n = 45), 100% in non-human hosts (n = 44) and 91% in environmental samples (n = 35). Overall, ten subtypes were identified (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST23, and ST26), eight of which were detected in humans (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST7, ST10, and ST23), three in other animals (ST6, ST7, and ST23), while seven (ST1, ST3, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST23, and ST26) were found in the environment. In our investigation of transmission dynamics, we assessed various groupings both at the household and community level. Given the overall high prevalence rate, transmission amongst humans and between animals and humans are not as frequent as expected with only two subtypes being shared. This raises questions on the role of the environment on transmission of Blastocystis. Water and soil comprise the main reservoirs of the various subtypes in this community. Five subtypes are shared between humans and the environment, while three overlap between the latter and animal hosts. We propose soil as a novel route of transmission, which should be considered in future investigations. This study provides a thorough One Health perspective on Blastocystis. Using this type of approach advances our understanding on occurrence, diversity, ecology and transmission dynamics of this poorly understood, yet frequent gut resident.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasana Jinatham
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Sadiya Maxamhud
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Siam Popluechai
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
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Rondón S, Cavallero S, Renzi E, Link A, González C, D’Amelio S. Parasites of Free-Ranging and Captive American Primates: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2021; 9:2546. [PMID: 34946149 PMCID: PMC8706906 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9122546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The diversity, spread, and evolution of parasites in non-human primates (NHPs) is a relevant issue for human public health as well as for NHPs conservation. Although previous reviews have recorded information on parasites in NHPs (Platyrrhines) in the Americas, the increasing number of recent studies has made these inventories far from complete. Here, we summarize information about parasites recently reported in Platyrrhines, attempting to build on earlier reviews and identify information gaps. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), and following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Ninety-three studies were included after the screening process. Records for 20 genera of NHPs, including 90 species were found. Most of the studies were conducted on captive individuals (54.1%), and morphological approaches were the most used for parasite identification. The most commonly collected biological samples were blood and stool, and Protozoa was the most frequent parasite group found. There is still scarce (if any) information on the parasites associated to several Platyrrhine species, especially for free-ranging populations. The use of molecular identification methods can provide important contributions to the field of NHPs parasitology in the near future. Finally, the identification of parasites in NHPs populations will continue to provide relevant information in the context of pervasive habitat loss and fragmentation that should influence both human public health and wildlife conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Rondón
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Serena Cavallero
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Erika Renzi
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
| | - Andrés Link
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Bosques Tropicales y Primatología, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de Los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Camila González
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Parasitología Tropical, CIMPAT, Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Universidad de los Andes, Cra. 1 N° 18a-12, Bogotá 111711, Colombia;
| | - Stefano D’Amelio
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Sapienza University of Rome, Piazzale Aldo Moro 5, 00185 Rome, Italy; (S.C.); (E.R.); (S.D.)
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Muñoz-Sánchez D, Triviño-Valencia J, Lora-Suarez F, Gómez-Marín JE. Blastocystis Subtypes and Culture Characteristics of Isolates from Human Stools Related with the Presence of Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Case-Control Study. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1466-1471. [PMID: 34041671 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00419-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To stablish if Blastocystis subtypes influences gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS Case-control study. We obtained sequencing for Blastocysts subtyping from 13 patients with gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhea or abdominal pain) and 12 from individuals without symptoms. RESULTS 12 sequences were from Subtype 2 and one from Subtype 3 in symptomatic individuals and nine samples were from Subtype 1, one from Subtype 2, and two from Subtype 3 in asymptomatic individuals. The prevalence of subtype 2 in symptomatic individuals was vastly different compared to the frequency in asymptomatic individuals (84.6% vs. 16.6%; OR 27.5 95% CI 3.2-233; Fisher exact test p = 0.0010201335). After in vitro culture, 22 isolates were obtained. Significant differences were observed for the 12 isolates from Subtype 2 that get a smaller number of total cells with dominant growth of vacuolar forms, compared with Subtypes 1 and 3, after eight days of culture. CONCLUSION Our results suggest that gastrointestinal symptoms in Colombian individuals with Blastocystis infection depend on the infecting subtype with peculiar phenotypic characteristics in in vitro culture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deicy Muñoz-Sánchez
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL, for the Term in Spanish), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jessica Triviño-Valencia
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL, for the Term in Spanish), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Fabiana Lora-Suarez
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL, for the Term in Spanish), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia
| | - Jorge Enrique Gómez-Marín
- Molecular Parasitology Group (GEPAMOL, for the Term in Spanish), Biomedical Research Center, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad del Quindío, Armenia, Colombia.
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Nemati S, Falahati Anbaran M, Mohammad Rahimi H, Hosseini MS, Aghaei S, Khalili N, Mirjalali H, Zali MR. Evolutionary and phylogenetic analyses of the barcoding region suggest geographical relationships among Blastocystis sp., ST3 in humans. INFECTION, GENETICS AND EVOLUTION : JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR EPIDEMIOLOGY AND EVOLUTIONARY GENETICS IN INFECTIOUS DISEASES 2021; 96:105151. [PMID: 34801757 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2021.105151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2021] [Revised: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp., has 21 distinct subtypes of which ST3 thought to be the most prevalent subtype. This study aims to analyze the global variations of ST3. In total, 496 sequences with more than 400 nucleotides from Asia, Europe, Africa, and America were included in this study. Results show that allele 34 was the most prevalent allele in all continents. The lowest and highest allele diversity were observed in Europe and Africa, respectively. The nucleotide diversity ranged from 0.0077 in Europe to 0.02 in Africa, and haplotype diversity ranged from 0.461 in America to 0.6 in Africa. The haplotype network and Bayesian structure showed at least two major clusters including Asia and Europe-Africa-America. Tajima's D values for all continents were negative and statistically significant, indicating an excess of rare nucleotide variants. Similarly, the Fu's FS test showed negative values for all regions, indicating an excess of rare haplotypes. Pairwise FST exhibited a high genetic differentiation between Asia and other continents. Mismatch analysis for all populations showed a unimodal distribution. Our findings indicate that there are two probable major clusters of Blastocystis sp. ST3, a cluster which is shared between Europe, Africa, and America, and a cluster which is restricted to Asia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Nemati
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohsen Falahati Anbaran
- School of Biology, University of Tehran, 14155-6455 Tehran, Iran; NTNU University Museum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Hanieh Mohammad Rahimi
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Monireh Sadat Hosseini
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Sara Aghaei
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Negar Khalili
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Mohammad Reza Zali
- Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Helenbrook WD, Whipps CM. Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis in Captive and Free-Ranging New World Primates, Platyrrhini. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1267-1273. [PMID: 33914238 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00397-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocystis species are widely distributed micro-eukaryote parasites found in both human and nonhuman primates. Despite having a global distribution, descriptions of Blastocystis subtype diversity in neotropical primates is largely limited to captive animals. The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize the presence of Blastocystis in free-ranging black-headed night monkeys, Aotus nigriceps, and to analyze Blastocystis heterogeneity in primates of the Parvorder Platyrrhini. METHODS We analyzed Blastocystis small sub-unit ribosomal DNA (SSUrDNA) from both A. nigriceps and Azara's night monkey, A. azarae boliviensis, in Southeastern Peru. We also included additional Blastocystis sequence from other neotropical primate studies to explore the distribution and host specificity of Blastocystis subtypes (ST) throughout the neotropics. RESULTS Thirteen percent of A. nigriceps samples were Blastocystis positive. Only ST8 was amplified in A. nigriceps and this partial DNA sequence was highly similar to ST8 sequence previously obtained from a human in Brazil. In our analysis of all available Blastocystis SSU sequences from primates of the Parvorder Platyrrhini, we found 15 monophyletic lineages corresponding to previously described subtypes ST1-ST10, ST12-15, and ST17. CONCLUSIONS Blastocystis SSU sequences amplified from A. nigriceps fecal samples shared high sequence similarity to isolates found in several other neotropical primates, Alouatta palliata, A. caraya, Ateles fusciceps, and Lagothrix. Similar subtypes have been found in human and captive primates which supports the possibility of transmission when in close contact. Expanded sampling of sympatric neotropical primates in the wild will establish whether subtypes and clades are limited to taxonomic group or whether transmission occurs between overlapping species.
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Wang X, Xue NY, Qin LT, Liu YY, Wang HX, Zhao Q, Ni HB, Lyu C. Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis from Beef Cattle in Northeastern China. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2021; 21:955-960. [PMID: 34780292 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2021.0056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a common unicellular protist that lives in the intestines of humans and animals. Blastocystis infection and subtypes in cattle have been reported in several regions. However, the information of Blastocystis infection in cattle in China is still largely scant. To assess the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in beef cattle in China, 803 fecal samples were collected from beef cattle farms in four cities of Northeast China, and were subjected to an analysis based on small subunit rRNA gene fragment. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis in beef cattle was 2.11% (17/803), with 2.15% in preweaning calves, 1.9% in postweaning calves, and 3.85% in breeding cattle, but absence in adult cattle (p > 0.05). Moreover, five Blastocystis subtypes were identified (ST10, ST21, ST23, ST25, and ST26), among which ST10 and ST26 subtypes were dominant subtypes in beef cattle. Mixed infections were detected in three specimens (ST10/ST25, ST10/ST23/ST25, and ST10/ST26). This is the first report showing Blastocystis infection in beef cattle in Northeast China. In addition, a variety of Blastocystis subtypes are reported in cattle in China for the first time. These results will benefit for better understanding the epidemiology and public health implications of Blastocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Nian-Yu Xue
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Li-Ting Qin
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao, P.R. China.,Qingdao Jiazhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, P.R. China
| | - Yuan-Yuan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Hao-Xian Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, P.R. China
| | - Quan Zhao
- College of Life Science, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, P.R. China
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, P.R. China
| | - Chuang Lyu
- Shandong New Hope Liuhe Group Co., Ltd., Qingdao, P.R. China.,Qingdao Jiazhi Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, P.R. China
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Kosik-Bogacka D, Lepczyńska M, Kot K, Szkup M, Łanocha-Arendarczyk N, Dzika E, Grochans E. Prevalence, subtypes and risk factors of Blastocystis spp. infection among pre- and perimenopausal women. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1125. [PMID: 34724915 PMCID: PMC8559403 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06815-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis spp. are considered pathogenic or commensal organisms, although the majority of researchers suggest that these are neglected pathogens. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis spp. in pre- and perimenopausal women, with respect to socio-demographic (age and place of residence), and epidemiological factors, as well as drinking tap water, contact with domestic animals, traveling abroad, health status, and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, the objective was to compare hematological and biochemical parameters of Blastocystis spp. infected and uninfected women. Methods The study included 425 women aged 45–60. Their stool samples were examined microscopically and analyzed by a conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR). Results Blastocystis spp. were detected in 6.1% of pre- and perimenopausal women. Molecular analysis of the stool samples identified seven Blastocystis subtypes (ST1–ST4, ST6, ST7, and ST9). Blastocystis subtypes 2 and 3 were the most prevalent. The presence of Blastocystis spp. was not significantly related to socio-demographic and epidemiological factors. There were also no significant associations between Blastocystis spp. and blood parameters, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Conclusion This study complements the limited available data on the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in pre- and perimenopausal women. It is also the first report showing the presence of Blastocystis subtype 9 in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danuta Kosik-Bogacka
- Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lepczyńska
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Szkup
- Department of Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 48, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Natalia Łanocha-Arendarczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Grochans
- Department of Nursing, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Żołnierska 48, 71-210, Szczecin, Poland
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Hernández PC, Morales L, Chaparro-Olaya J, de Avila J, Bautista-Molano W, Bello-Gualtero J, Beltrán-Ostos A, Romero-Sánchez C. Frequency and distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in patients with spondyloarthritis in Bogotá, Colombia. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2021; 15:e00227. [PMID: 34667886 PMCID: PMC8507199 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2021.e00227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Although Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent intestinal parasites worldwide, its role as a pathogen remains unclear. The use of molecular techniques to assess the genetic heterogeneity of Blastocystis sp. has become important to understand its function in some intestinal pathologies and if it is a key component of intestinal microbiota. Spondyloarthritis is a group of immune-mediated autoinflammatory diseases in which microbial dysbiosis in the gut (including parasites, bacteria and fungi) and intestinal inflammation are common features apparently associated with the pathophysiology of these disorders. This study included 74 patients diagnosed with spondyloarthritis and 57 systemically healthy individuals (included as controls), who were screened for intestinal parasites. Blastocystis sp. was detected in 68% and 73% of the patients with spondyloarthritis and controls, respectively. In faecal samples positive for Blastocystis sp., an 18S rRNA gene fragment of Blastocystis sp. was amplified and sequenced to identify their genetic sub-types. Patients with spondyloarthritis showed similar frequencies of ST1, ST2 and ST3 subtypes of Blastocystis sp. (30% each). The same subtypes were observed in controls, wherein almost 60% of the samples showed ST3. In addition, ST6 was found only in one sample from each group. ST1 subtype showed the greatest genetic variability. Although the same subtypes were detected in both patients with spondyloarthritis and controls, subtype prevalence studies conducted in Colombia indicate an association between ST3 and individuals with irritable bowel syndrome. This opens an interesting research avenue to further study of the epidemiology of Blastocystis sp. and its possible relationship with intestinal conditions in immunocompromised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paula C Hernández
- Universidad El Bosque, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Liliana Morales
- Universidad El Bosque, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Jacqueline Chaparro-Olaya
- Universidad El Bosque, Vicerrectoría de Investigaciones, Laboratorio de Parasitología Molecular, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juliette de Avila
- Universidad El Bosque, Facultad de Odontología, Grupo de Inmunología Celular y Molecular -INMUBO, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Wilson Bautista-Molano
- Universidad El Bosque, Facultad de Odontología, Grupo de Inmunología Celular y Molecular -INMUBO, Bogotá, Colombia.,Hospital Militar, Servicio de Reumatología e Inmunología, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo de Inmunología Clínica Aplicada, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Bello-Gualtero
- Hospital Militar, Servicio de Reumatología e Inmunología, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo de Inmunología Clínica Aplicada, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Adriana Beltrán-Ostos
- Hospital Militar, Servicio de Reumatología e Inmunología, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo de Inmunología Clínica Aplicada, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Consuelo Romero-Sánchez
- Universidad El Bosque, Facultad de Odontología, Grupo de Inmunología Celular y Molecular -INMUBO, Bogotá, Colombia.,Hospital Militar, Servicio de Reumatología e Inmunología, Universidad Militar Nueva Granada, Facultad de Medicina, Grupo de Inmunología Clínica Aplicada, Bogotá, Colombia
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Karamati SA, Mirjalali H, Niyyati M, Yadegar A, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Haghighi A, Seyyed Tabaei SJ. Association of Blastocystis ST6 with higher protease activity among symptomatic subjects. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:285. [PMID: 34666703 PMCID: PMC8524833 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02341-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan parasite of humans and a wide range of animals worldwide. In the current study the correlation between the cysteine protease activity of clinical samples of Blastocystis sp. ST1-3 and 6 with the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. METHODS Stool samples were collected from subjects with or without clinical symptoms. All samples were cultivated in DMEM medium. The bacteria were eliminated or reduced in Blastocystis sp. positive samples subtypes 1-3 and 6 by a variety of antibiotics and consecutive sub-cultures. To prepare parasite lysate, 1 × 105 Blastocystis sp. from each isolate were harvested and lysed using freeze-thaw. Protease activity of each isolate was measured and the gene expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in HT-29 cell line sensed by isolates was investigated using quantitative Real-time PCR. RESULTS Protease activity assay showed inter- and intra-subtype variations among subtypes regarding the presence of symptoms, while the protease activity of symptomatic isolates was higher than asymptomatic isolates. The highest and lowest levels of protease activity were seen in ST6 and ST2, respectively. However, patterns of the expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in HT-29 cell line was different regarding the presence of symptoms and time points. There was no significant correlation between protease activity of different subtypes with the expression levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated a higher protease activity among isolates from symptomatic compared to asymptomatic subjects, suggesting functional role for proteases in clinical symptoms due to Blastocystis sp. The lack of correlation between the levels of expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers with subtypes regarding the presence of clinical symptoms proposes the importance of host-related factors in presentation of clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ahmad Karamati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Haghighi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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48
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Geng HL, Sun YZ, Jiang J, Sun HT, Li YG, Qin SY, Wang ZJ, Ma T, Zhu JH, Xue NY, Ni HB. The Presence of Blastocystis in Tibetan Antelope ( Pantholops hodgsonii). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2021; 11:747952. [PMID: 34660346 PMCID: PMC8512422 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.747952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a protozoan that parasitizes the intestines. A number of hosts of Blastocystis have been found, including human and animals. However, there has been no research on the prevalence of Blastocystis in Tibetan antelope. Here, a molecular test was performed using 627 Tibetan antelope fecal samples collected on Tibet in China from 2019 to 2020. The result showed that 30 (4.8%) samples were Blastocystis positive. The highest prevalence of Blastocystis was in Shuanghu County (25/209, 12.0%), followed by Shenza County (2/103, 1.9%), Nyima County (3/182, 1.6%), and Baigoin County (0/133, 0.0%). In addition, logistic regression analysis showed that the gender, sampling year, and area of Tibetan antelope were risk factors for Blastocystis prevalence. Three subtypes (ST10, ST13, and ST14) of Blastocystis were found in Tibetan antelope through a subtype sequence analysis, and ST13 was identified to be the dominant subtype. This is the first investigation for the infection of Blastocystis in Tibetan antelope. Collectively, the data in this study have expanded the host range of Blastocystis and provided basic information for the distribution of Blastocystis subtypes, which could support the prevention of Blastocystis infection in wild animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Li Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yu-Zhe Sun
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
| | - Jing Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University, Shuangyang, China
| | - He-Ting Sun
- General Monitoring Station for Wildlife-Borne Infectious Diseases, State Forestry and Grass Administration, Shenyang, China
| | - Yuan-Guo Li
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Si-Yuan Qin
- General Monitoring Station for Wildlife-Borne Infectious Diseases, State Forestry and Grass Administration, Shenyang, China.,Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Zhen-Jun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Tao Ma
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Jun-Hui Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Zoonosis Research, Ministry of Education, College of Veterinary Medicine, Jilin University, Changchun, China
| | - Nian-Yu Xue
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Heilongjiang Bayi Agricultural University, Daqing, China
| | - Hong-Bo Ni
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University, Qingdao, China
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49
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Sarzhanov F, Dogruman-Al F, Santin M, Maloney JG, Gureser AS, Karasartova D, Taylan-Ozkan A. Investigation of neglected protists Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in immunocompetent and immunodeficient diarrheal patients using both conventional and molecular methods. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2021; 15:e0009779. [PMID: 34613993 PMCID: PMC8494357 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction The clinical significance of Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms is a controversial issue. Since the pathogenicity of these protists has not been fully elucidated, testing for these organisms is not routinely pursued by most laboratories and clinicians. Thus, the prevalence of these organisms and the subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in human patients in Turkey are not well characterized. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in the diarrheic stool samples of immunodeficient and immunocompetent patients using conventional and molecular methods and to identify Blastocystis sp. subtypes using next generation sequencing. Material and methods Individual stool specimens were collected from 245 immunodeficient and 193 immunocompetent diarrheic patients between March 2017 and December 2019 at the Gazi University Training and Research Hospital in Ankara, Turkey. Samples were screened for Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis by conventional and molecular methods. Molecular detection of both protists was achieved by separate qPCRs targeting a partial fragment of the SSU rRNA gene. Next generation sequencing was used to identify Blastocystis sp. subtypes. Results The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis was 16.7% and 11.9%, respectively as measured by qPCR. The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis was lower in immunodeficient patients (12.7% and 10.6%, respectively) compared to immunocompetent patients (21.8% and 13.5%, respectively). Five Blastocystis sp. subtypes were identified and the following subtype distribution was observed: ST3 54.4% (n = 37), ST2 16.2% (n = 11), ST1 4.4% (n = 3), ST6 2.9% (n = 2), ST4 1.5% (n = 1), ST2/ST3 11.8% (n = 8) and ST1/ST3 8.8% (n = 6). There was no statistically significant difference in the distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes between immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients. Conclusion and recommendation Our findings demonstrated that Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis are commonly present in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients with diarrhea. This study is the first to use next generation sequencing to address the presence of Blastocystis sp. mixed subtypes and intra-subtype variability in clinical samples in Turkey. Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis are single-cell parasites of the human intestine which are common worldwide and reported in cases with gastrointestinal symptoms. However, the role of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in patients with gastrointestinal symptoms is still controversial because their presence is not always associated with symptoms. As some intestinal parasitic infections can cause severe illness in immunocompromised individuals careful consideration of intestinal protist infection is warranted. However, testing for Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis is not routinely carried out by most laboratories and clinicians. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients with diarrhea by conventional and molecular methods. Both Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis were detected more frequently by quantitative polymerase chain reaction than by conventional methods. Next generation sequencing was used to characterize the diversity and frequency of Blastocystis sp. subtypes and mixed subtypes in patients in Turkey. Five Blastocystis sp. subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 and ST6) were detected. ST3 was the most frequent subtype in both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed patients. Mono-infections were more common than mixed subtype infections. Our findings showed that Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis are commonly present in immunocompetent and immunodeficient patients with diarrhea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fakhriddin Sarzhanov
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
- Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkestan, Kazakhstan
| | - Funda Dogruman-Al
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
- * E-mail: ,
| | - Monica Santin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Jenny G. Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ayse Semra Gureser
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Djursun Karasartova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, TOBB- University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey
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50
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Rudzińska M, Kowalewska B, Waleron M, Kalicki M, Sikorska K, Szostakowska B. Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis from Animals and Their Caregivers at the Gdańsk Zoo (Poland) and the Assessment of Zoonotic Transmission. BIOLOGY 2021; 10:biology10100984. [PMID: 34681082 PMCID: PMC8533498 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a highly genetically diverse gut protist commonly found in humans and various animals. The role of animals in human infection is only partly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the host specificity and possibility of zoonotic transmission of this microorganism. Subtypes of Blastocystis isolated from 201 zoo animals and their 35 caregivers were identified by sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. Blastocystis was found in 26.86% of animal and 17.14% of human samples. Both mammalian (ST1-ST3, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, ST14) and non-mammalian subtypes were detected. Of the subtypes found in non-human primates (ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST13), two subtypes (ST1 and ST3) were also detected in humans. The presence of identical ST1 sequences in three monkeys and their caregiver indicates the possibility of direct transmission of Blastocystis between these animals and humans. Detection of ST5 only in wild boars and peccaries, ST8 only in Marsupial, ST10 and ST14 only in Bovidae, and non-mammalian subtypes in reptiles suggests higher host specificity for these subtypes, and indicates that their transmission between animals and humans is unlikely. Additionally, this was probably the first time that ST5 was found in peccaries, ST2 in patas monkeys, and ST8 in red kangaroos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rudzińska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-583-491-762
| | - Beata Kowalewska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Małgorzata Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Mirosław Kalicki
- Zoological Garden of Gdańsk, Karwieńska 3, 80-328 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Sikorska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Beata Szostakowska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland;
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