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Malatyali E, Guclu O, Yildiz I, Ertug S, Ertabaklar H. The Low Genetic Diversity of Dientamoeba fragilis Isolates in Southwest Turkey and Analysis of Clinical Findings. Acta Parasitol 2024:10.1007/s11686-024-00896-x. [PMID: 39164548 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-024-00896-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) is a common intestinal protozoan with a global distribution. In the present study, we aimed to determine genetic diversity of D. fragilis isolates with multilocus sequence typing (MLST) in the southwest of Turkey and analyse the clinical findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study included faecal samples from 200 individuals in Aydin, Turkey. The positivity of D. fragilis was determined with 18 S rRNA gene-based PCR assay. Six nested-PCR reactions were set to amplify partial D. fragilis housekeeping genes in the positive samples. The sequences were aligned with the references from GenBank to detect nucleotide polymorphisms and haplotypes. Additionally, the clinical findings and demographic characteristics of patients were statistically analysed between D. fragilis-infected and non-infected cases. RESULTS The positivity of D. fragilis was 16% (32 out of 200 cases) with 18 S rRNA based-PCR, and all were classified as "genotype 1". The analysis of six MLST loci revealed different haplotypes only at one locus; the remaining five loci exhibited no polymorphisms. The haplotypes in the present study were identical to at least one previously reported reference, except the locus "large subunit of RNA polymerase II" locus. There were no significant differences in any of the clinical findings or demographic characteristics between the infected and non-infected groups. CONCLUSIONS Our study revealed a low genetic diversity of D. fragilis isolates from Turkey, like other countries including Italy, Denmark, the UK, Australia, and Brazil. The high degree of sequence similarity in housekeeping genes indicated the clonal distribution of D. fragilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erdogan Malatyali
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey.
| | - Ozgur Guclu
- Department of Plant and Animal Production, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Sultanhisar MYO, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
- Recombinant DNA and Recombinant Protein Research Centre (REDPROM), Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
| | - Ibrahim Yildiz
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
| | - Sema Ertug
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
| | - Hatice Ertabaklar
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Aydin Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, 09100, Turkey
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Ercan N, Yildirim A, Duzlu O. Molecular detection and genotyping of Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis sp. in housefly Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae): first report for Dientamoeba fragilis. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:183. [PMID: 38622363 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08202-4] [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: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Dientamoeba fragilis and Blastocystis sp. are single-celled protozoan parasites of humans and animals. Although they are found in the intestines of healthy hosts, the pathogenicity of them is still unclear. To date, there is no report on D. fragilis and only two studies (without subtyping) on the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. in Musca domestica. In this study, fly samples were collected from livestock farms and their surroundings in the Kirsehir province (Central Anatolia Region) of Türkiye from May to August 2023. A total of 150 microscopically identified M. domestica samples were analyzed for the detection of D. fragilis and Blastocystis sp. molecularly. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in M. domestica was determined to be 3.3% (5/150) and 8.0% (12/150), respectively. The SSU rRNA gene sequences of the isolates indicated genotype 1 of D. fragilis. Eleven isolates were identical and represented a single isolate (KAU-Dfrag1). BLAST analysis of KAU-Dfrag1 indicated identity with the isolates reported from humans, cattle, sheep, and budgerigars. The other isolate (KAU-Dfrag2) was polymorphic at two nucleotides from KAU-Dfrag1 and three nucleotides from known genotypes from GenBank and represented a variant of genotype 1. The Blastocystis sp. isolates were found to be identical and represent a single genotype (KAU-Blast1). BLAST analysis revealed that the KAU-Blast1 genotype belonged to the potentially zoonotic subtype 5 (ST5) and exhibited the highest genetic identity (ranging from 99.4 to 99.6%) with pigs, cattle, and sheep from different countries. Our study provides the first data on the molecular prevalence, epidemiology, and genotypic characterization of D. fragilis and Blastocystis sp. in M. domestica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuri Ercan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey.
| | - Alparslan Yildirim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Onder Duzlu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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Marangi M, Boughattas S, Valzano F, La Bella G, De Nittis R, Margaglione M, Arena F. Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and other gastrointestinal pathogens among diarrheic COVID-19 patients in Italy. New Microbes New Infect 2024; 58:101228. [PMID: 38406386 PMCID: PMC10884970 DOI: 10.1016/j.nmni.2024.101228] [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: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Gastrointestinal pathogens (GPs) contribute significantly to the burden of illness worldwide with diarrhoea being the most common among gastrointestinal symptoms (GSs). In the COVID-19 disease, diarrhoea, could be one of the initial presenting symptoms. However, no data on the potential correlation between diarrhoea-causing pathogens and SARS-CoV-2 infection are available. Therefore, we carried out a 2-years retrospective study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of "classic" GPs among SARS-CoV-2 infected and non-infected patients with diarrhoea in Italy. Methods Results of SARS-CoV-2 research from nasopharyngeal and detection of GPs from stool swab samples by Allplex™ SARS-CoV-2 and GI Virus, Bacteria and Parasite Assay were analysed for all patients with diarrhoea referring to Policlinico Ospedaliero Universitario, Foggia, (Italy) from February 2022 to October 2023. Results Out of the 833 involved patients, 81 (3.9%) were COVID-19 positive, while 752 (90.3%) were COVID-19 negative. Among COVID-19-positive patients, 37% (n = 30/81) were found positive for one or more GPs with a higher prevalence of protozoan parasites (18.5%) (Blastocystis ST1-ST4 subtypes, Dientamoeba fragilis genotype I), followed by bacteria (7.4%) (Campylobacter sp., Salmonella sp.). Viral pathogens were more frequent among COVID-19 negative patients (Adenovirus, Norovirus). Among GPs, Blastocystis ST3 subtype was the most prevalent registered in the 16% of patients (p = 0.0001). Conclusions Based on obtained results, a likely interaction between the classic GPs and SARS-CoV-2 infection can be speculated, driven by protozoan parasites. Moreover, these results also provide baseline data to understand more deeply Blastocystis sp. role in this scenario of dysbiosis, particularly in those cases of SARS-CoV-2 co-infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Marangi
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | | | - Felice Valzano
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Gianfranco La Bella
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata, Via Manfredonia 20, 71121, Foggia, Italy
| | - Rosella De Nittis
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Maurizio Margaglione
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
| | - Fabio Arena
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Foggia, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
- Microbiology and Virology Unit, Ospedali Riuniti, Viale Luigi Pinto, 71122, Foggia, Italy
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Hall LM, Munasinghe VS, Vella NGF, Ellis JT, Stark D. Observations on the transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis and the cyst life cycle stage. Parasitology 2024; 151:337-345. [PMID: 38250789 PMCID: PMC11007279 DOI: 10.1017/s0031182024000076] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
Little is known about the life cycle and mode of transmission of Dientamoeba fragilis. Recently it was suggested that fecal–oral transmission of cysts may play a role in the transmission of D. fragilis. In order to establish an infection, D. fragilis is required to remain viable when exposed to the pH of the stomach. In this study, we investigated the ability of cultured trophozoites to withstand the extremes of pH. We provide evidence that trophozoites of D. fragilis are vulnerable to highly acidic conditions. We also investigated further the ultrastructure of D. fragilis cysts obtained from mice and rats by transmission electron microscopy. These studies of cysts showed a clear cyst wall surrounding an encysted parasite. The cyst wall was double layered with an outer fibrillar layer and an inner layer enclosing the parasite. Hydrogenosomes, endoplasmic reticulum and nuclei were present in the cysts. Pelta-axostyle structures, costa and axonemes were identifiable and internal flagellar axonemes were present. This study therefore provides additional novel details and knowledge of the ultrastructure of the cyst stage of D. fragilis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke M. Hall
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
- Division of Microbiology, Sydpath, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
| | - Varuni S. Munasinghe
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Nicole G. F. Vella
- Macquarie University Microscopy Unit, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia
| | - John T. Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Damien Stark
- Division of Microbiology, Sydpath, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia
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Guadano-Procesi I, Berrilli F, Montalbano Di Filippo M, Di Cave D. Detection and genotyping of Dientamoeba fragilis from symptomatic patients: New insights from Italy into a little-known gastrointestinal protozoan. Parasitol Int 2024; 98:102816. [PMID: 37838287 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2023.102816] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/16/2023]
Abstract
Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) represents a common protozoan in both high and low income countries. Despite this, epidemiological data on dientamoebiasis are still limited, and it is possible that the actual prevalence rates of D. fragilis have been underestimated due to the challenges in its detection and identification. In the present study, symptomatic patients from Rome (Central Italy) were surveyed for two years to determine D. fragilis percentage of infection and genotypes. Stool samples collection was performed over 864 patients, DNA extracted, and RT-PCR performed by the SeeGene Allplex™ Gastrointestinal Parasite Panel Assays. Seventy-nine resulted positive for D. fragilis (9.1%). Co-infections were detected in 22 isolates: 21 displayed Blastocystis sp. + D. fragilis (27.8%). Based on the sequence of a central fragment of the SSU rRNA gene, only genotype 1 was identified. These findings are among the few available data regarding genetic diversity of D. fragilis in Italy. Large-scale human and animal research are required to enhance our knowledge of prevalence, host range, genetic variability and zoonotic transmission of this little-known intestinal protozoan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Guadano-Procesi
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy
| | - Federica Berrilli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy.
| | | | - David Di Cave
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of "Tor Vergata", Rome 00133, Italy
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Jirků M, Kašparová A, Lhotská Z, Oborník M, Brožová K, Petrželková KJ, Samaš P, Kadlecová O, Stensvold CR, Jirků K. A Cross-Sectional Study on the Occurrence of the Intestinal Protist, Dientamoeba fragilis, in the Gut-Healthy Volunteers and Their Animals. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232315407. [PMID: 36499734 PMCID: PMC9737029 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232315407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Dientamoeba fragilis is a cosmopolitan intestinal protist colonizing the human gut with varying prevalence depending on the cohort studied and the diagnostic methods used. Its role in human health remains unclear mainly due to the very sporadic number of cross-sectional studies in gut-healthy populations. The main objective of this study was to expand knowledge of the epidemiology of D. fragilis in gut-healthy humans and their animals. A total of 296 stool samples from humans and 135 samples from 18 animal species were analyzed. Using qPCR, a prevalence of 24% was found in humans in contrast to conventional PCR (7%). In humans, several factors were found to influence the prevalence of D. fragilis. A more frequent occurrence of D. fragilis was associated with living in a village, traveling outside Europe and contact with farm animals. In addition, co-infection with Blastocystis spp. was observed in nearly half of the colonized humans. In animals, D. fragilis was detected in 13% of samples from eight species using qPCR. Our molecular phylogenies demonstrate a more frequent occurrence of Genotype 1 in gut-healthy humans and also revealed a likely a new protist species/lineage in rabbits related to D. fragilis and other related organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milan Jirků
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Andrea Kašparová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Lhotská
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Oborník
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kristýna Brožová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Klára J. Petrželková
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Peter Samaš
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Květná 8, 603 65 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Oldřiška Kadlecová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Christen Rune Stensvold
- Department of Bacteria, Parasites and Fungi, Statens Serum Institut, 5 Artillerivej, 2300 Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Kateřina Jirků
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre, The Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-38-777-5470
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