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Alexeree SMI, Abou-Seri HM, El-Din HES, Youssef D, Ramadan MA. Green synthesis of silver and iron oxide nanoparticles mediated photothermal effects on Blastocystis hominis. Lasers Med Sci 2024; 39:43. [PMID: 38246979 PMCID: PMC10800310 DOI: 10.1007/s10103-024-03984-6] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
The evolution of parasite resistance to antiparasitic agents has become a serious health issue indicating a critical and pressing need to develop new therapeutics that can conquer drug resistance. Nanoparticles are novel, promising emerging drug carriers that have demonstrated efficiency in treating many parasitic diseases. Lately, attention has been drawn to a broad-spectrum nanoparticle capable of converting absorbed light into heat via the photothermal effect phenomenon. The present study is the first to assess the effect of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) and iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs) as sole agents and with the combined action of the light-emitting diode (LED) on Blastocystis hominins (B. hominis) in vitro. Initially, the aqueous synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy, zeta potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The anti-blastocyst efficiency of these NPs was tested separately in dark conditions. As these NPs have a wide absorption spectrum in the visible regions, they were also excited by a continuous wave LED of wavelength band (400-700 nm) to test the photothermal effect. The sensitivity of B. hominis cysts was evaluated using scanning laser confocal microscopy whereas the live and dead cells were accurately segmented based on superpixels and the k-mean clustering algorithm. Our findings showed that this excitation led to hyperthermia that induced a significant reduction in the number of cysts treated with photothermally active NPs. The results of this study elucidate the potential role of photothermally active NPs as an effective anti-blastocystis agent. By using this approach, new therapeutic antiparasitic agents can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaimaa M I Alexeree
- Department of Laser Application in Metrology, Photochemistry, and Agricultural, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt.
| | - Hanan M Abou-Seri
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Hala E Shams El-Din
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - Doaa Youssef
- Department of Engineering Applications of Lasers, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
| | - Marwa A Ramadan
- Department of Laser Application in Metrology, Photochemistry, and Agricultural, National Institute of Laser Enhanced Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt
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Abstract
Intestinal parasites include intestinal protozoa and intestinal helminths. Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) pose a global health problem affecting over one billion people worldwide. Although these infections are predominantly seen in the developing world, they are frequently seen in the developed countries, particularly in immunocompromised patients. Patients' clinical presentations generally include diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, nutritional deficiency, iron deficiency anemia, anal and perianal itching, and rarely intestinal obstruction. The intestinal parasites have similarities in their mode of transmission and life cycle. The stool test is the primary way of diagnosing IPIs. Treatment is given with various anti-parasitic agents. However, appropriate preventive measures are essential for successfully controlling the IPIs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monjur Ahmed
- Division of Gastroenterology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
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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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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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Velásquez JN, Astudillo OG, Vittar N, Pantano ML, Carnevale S. Diagnostic Features of Blastocystis Life Cycle Forms in the Small Intestine in an HIV-Infected Patient. Acta Parasitol 2022; 67:102-109. [PMID: 34143399 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00435-y] [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: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Blastocystis spp. are parasites of the intestinal tract found in many hosts including humans. This pathogen is commonly found in immunocompetent in asymptomatic individuals and in patients with gastrointestinal and extra-intestinal symptoms. Recently, it has been implicated as an important cause of diarrheal illness in immunocompromised individuals, including HIV-infected patients. At least six life cycle stages have been described in faeces and cultures, namely vacuolar, granular, multi-vacuolar, avacuolar, ameboid and cyst forms. The aim of the present study was to describe the histological findings of Blastocystis infection in an adult HIV-infected patient with gastrointestinal symptoms. METHODS Parasitological techniques and PCR were applied to stool samples. Histological analysis was performed on duodenal biopsy specimens. RESULTS Standard parasitological methods revealed vacuolar, granular, cyst and multi-vacuolar forms of Blastocystis in faecal samples with the presence of Blastocystis DNA being confirmed by PCR. DNA sequencing revealed Blastocystis subtype ST1. Histological findings in duodenal samples showed an inflammatory infiltrate with plasma cells and lymphocytes. We identified cyst, granular, ameboid and multi-vacuolar forms in the lumen. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, there are no previous peer review reports describing these four different forms of Blastocystis in histological sections from the lumen and the brush border of the enterocytes.
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Feng Y, Yu K, Chen H, Zhang X, Lu Q, Wang X, Zhang X, Yao L, Ruan W. Soil-transmitted helminths, intestinal protozoa and Clonorchis sinensis infections in southeast China. BMC Infect Dis 2021; 21:1195. [PMID: 34837987 PMCID: PMC8626871 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06879-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extensive parasitic diseases epidemiology in Zhejiang province has not been carried out since the second national survey in 2004. Therefore, dynamics in prevalence and infection pattern of the major intestinal parasites should be explored. METHODS The distribution of three parasites including soil-transmitted helminths (STH), intestinal protozoa and C. sinensis in Zhejiang from 2014 to 2015 were explored. Kato-Katz technique was used for STH and C. sinensis detection, whereas transparent adhesive paper anal swab was used for pinworm detection, and iodine smear was used for protozoa detection. A questionnaire survey on alimentary habits and sanitary behaviors was conducted in half of the studied counties. RESULTS This study recruited 23,552 participants: 19,935 from rural and 3617 from urban area. Overall prevalence of intestinal helminth infections was 1.80%. In this study, seven helminth species were identified including A. duodenale, N. americanus, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, C. sinensis, Fasciolopsis buski and pinworm. The average prevalence of STH infection was 1.71%: 1.94% in rural and 0.44% in urban area. Hookworm was the most prevalent infection at 1.58%: 1.79% in rural and 0.44% in urban area. Prevalence varied considerably in the studied counties. Prevalence was highest in Yongkang county at 10.25%. Only 2.79% of children from rural area were infected with pinworm. A proportion of 0.40% of rural participants were infected with protozoa, whereas Endolimax nana was the most prevalent at 0.23%. C. sinensis showed infection only in one man. Awareness on C. sinensis was 24.47% in rural and 45.96% in urban area, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence of STH and protozoa infections declined considerably whereas C. sinensis infections remained few in Zhejiang province compared with the prevalence reported in previous large scale surveys (19.56% for national STH infection in 2004, 18.66% and 4.57% for provincial STH and protozoa infection, respectively in 1999). The findings of this study showed that hookworm, mainly N. americanus remained a parasitic threat to population health, mainly in the central and western Zhejiang. Therefore, more health education regarding fertilization and farming habits is necessary in rural areas. The awareness concerning hookworm infection should be reinforced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Feng
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Kegen Yu
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Hualiang Chen
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xuan Zhang
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Qiaoyi Lu
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xiaoxiao Wang
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China
| | - Xueying Zhang
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, NewYork, 10029, USA
| | - Linong Yao
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
| | - Wei Ruan
- Department of Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Zhejiang Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou, 310051, China.
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Abdo SM, El-Adawy H, Farag HF, El-Taweel HA, Elhadad H, El-Badry AAM. Detection and molecular identification of Blastocystis isolates from humans and cattle in northern Egypt. J Parasit Dis 2021; 45:738-745. [PMID: 34475655 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01354-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is one of the less well-understood waterborne protozoa of medical and veterinary importance. The present study aimed to detect, identify, and subtype Blastocystis in cattle and humans in northern Egypt and to investigate the potential for zoonotic transmission. Fecal samples were collected from 136 humans (68 in contact with animals and 68 no animal contact) and 190 cattle from a rural area in Kafr El-Sheikh Province, Egypt. All samples were microscopically examined by direct wet mount technique and cultured in Jones' medium. Genomic DNA was extracted from positive cultures. A region of the Blastocystis small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) gene was amplified using PCR. Blastocystis subtypes were identified by sequencing of the amplified SSU rRNA gene. The relatedness of sequence types obtained in this study and others submitted in GenBank was compared according to their genetic relatedness. Out of 136 human and 190 cattle samples, Blastocystis was detected in 53 (38.9%) and 37 (19.4%), respectively using either culture or direct wet mount. Blastocystis SSU rRNA gene was amplified in 55 samples (32 humans and 23 animals). Six subtypes were identified (STs 1-3 in humans and ST4, ST10 and ST14 in cattle) and were distinguishable with inter (up to 0.075) and intra (up to 0.024) subtype variations. A close phylogenetic relationship between human and animal isolated STs 1-4 was demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the the potentiality for zoonotic transmission of certain Blastocystis subtypes in northern Egypt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Mohamed Abdo
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 35516 Egypt
| | - Hosny El-Adawy
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Bacterial Infections and Zoonoses, Naumburger Str. 96a, 07743 Jena, Germany.,Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El-Sheikh, 35516 Egypt
| | - Hoda Fahmy Farag
- Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hend Aly El-Taweel
- Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Heba Elhadad
- Parasitology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Ayman Abdel-Moamen El-Badry
- Department of Microbiology-Medical Parasitology Section, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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Jha S, Gupta P, Bhatia M. Blastocystis spp. infection in cases of diarrhea: A pilot study from a tertiary care teaching hospital in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, with a brief review of literature. Trop Parasitol 2021; 11:113-121. [PMID: 34765533 PMCID: PMC8579771 DOI: 10.4103/tp.tp_90_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2020] [Revised: 10/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
CONTEXT Intestinal parasitic infections (IPI) are among the most common infections throughout the world. Blastocystis spp. is a mysterious parasite which is commonly encountered in tropical countries. Its pathogenic status is unknown and there is a paucity of literature about this organism from the state of Uttarakhand, India. AIMS The aim was to estimate the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in diarrheal stools. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This was a cross-sectional study conducted from January 2018 to July 2019. SUBJECTS AND METHODS Nonrepetitive stool samples of 187 consecutive patients of diarrhea attending the inpatient department and outpatient department of a tertiary care teaching hospital located in Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, were collected after obtaining informed written consent. These samples were subjected to wet mount microscopy and permanent staining. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED Fisher's exact test and Kappa coefficient were used in this study. RESULTS The mean age ± standard deviation of the patients was 36.04 ± 11.31 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1.49:1. The prevalence of IPI was 36.09%. Giardia intestinalis was the most common parasite. Blastocystis spp. was observed in 6.42% of the stool samples, majority of which were obtained from cases of chronic diarrhea. Moderate agreement (0.48) was observed between wet mount microscopy and permanent staining in the identification of Blastocystis spp. CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to assess the burden and role of different epidemiological and clinical profiles of Blastocystis spp. in Uttarakhand. More studies are required to know its pathogenesis and its role as opportunistic pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sweta Jha
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Pratima Gupta
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mohit Bhatia
- Department of Microbiology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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Mossallam SF, El- Mansoury SA, Tolba MM, Kohla AA, Khedr SI. In vitro susceptibility of human Blastocystis subtypes to simeprevir. Saudi J Biol Sci 2021; 28:2491-2501. [PMID: 33935570 PMCID: PMC8071969 DOI: 10.1016/j.sjbs.2021.01.050] [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: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Introduction and aim Blastocystis is a common enteric parasite, having a worldwide distribution. Many antimicrobial agents are effective against it, yet side effects and drug resistance have been reported. Thus, ongoing trials are being conducted for exploring anti-Blastocystis alternatives. Proteases are attractive anti-protozoal drug targets, having documented roles in Blastocystis. Serine proteases are present in both hepatitis C virus and Blastocystis. Since drug repositioning is quite trendy, the in vitro efficacy of simeprevir (SMV), an anti-hepatitis serine protease inhibitor, against Blastocystis was investigated in the current study. Methods Stool samples were collected from patients, Alexandria, Egypt. Concentrated stools were screened using direct smears, trichrome, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stains to exclude parasitic co-infections. Positive stool isolates were cultivated, molecularly subtyped for assessing the efficacy of three SMV doses (100,150, and 200 μg/ml) along 72 hours (h), on the most common subtype, through monitoring parasite growth, viability, re-culture, and also via ultrastructure verification. The most efficient dose and duration were later tested on other subtypes. Results Results revealed that Blastocystis was detected in 54.17% of examined samples. Molecularly, ST3 predominated (62%), followed by ST1 (8.6%) and ST2 (3.4%). Ascending concentrations of SMV progressively inhibited growth, viability, and re-culture of treated Blastocystis, with a non-statistically significant difference when compared to the therapeutic control metronidazole (MTZ). The most efficient dose and duration against ST3 was 150 µg/ml for 72 h. This dose inhibited the growth of ST3, ST1, and ST2 with percentages of 95.19%, 94.83%, and 94.74%, successively and viability with percentages of 98.30%, 98.09%, and 97.96%, successively. This dose abolished Blastocystis upon re-culturing. Ultra-structurally, SMV induced rupture of Blastocystis cell membrane leading to necrotic death, versus the reported apoptotic death caused by MTZ. In conclusion, 150 µg/ml SMV for 72 h proved its efficacy against ST1, ST2, and ST3 Blastocystis, thus sparing the need for pre-treatment molecular subtyping in developing countries.
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Key Words
- Blastocystis subtypes
- CV, central vacuole
- DMSO, Dimethyl Sulfoxide
- IBS, irritable bowel syndrome
- In vitro
- MLO, Mitochondrion-like organelle
- MTZ, Metronidazole
- PCR, Polymerase chain reaction
- Re-culture
- SEM, Scanning electron microscopy
- SMV, Simeprevir
- ST, subtypes
- Simeprevir
- TEM, Transmission electron microscopy
- Ultrastructure
- Viability
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Affiliation(s)
- Shereen F. Mossallam
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Corresponding author at: Medical Parasitology Department, El Mowasah Medical and Educational Complex, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt.
| | - Salwa A.T. El- Mansoury
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Mona M. Tolba
- Department of Parasitology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Asmaa A. Kohla
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Safaa I. Khedr
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
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Younis MS, Abououf EAER, Ali AES, Abd elhady SM, Wassef RM. In vitro Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Blastocystis hominis. Int J Nanomedicine 2020; 15:8167-8173. [PMID: 33116522 PMCID: PMC7588274 DOI: 10.2147/ijn.s272532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This study aims to assess the efficacy of silver nanoparticles (Ag Nps) alone and combined with metronidazole (Ag Nps + MTZ) as potential alternative therapeutic agents for Blastocystis hominis. METHODS The parasites were challenged with Ag Nps, Ag Nps + MTZ and MTZ. To assess the efficacy of drugs, counting of viable parasites was done after 1, 2, and 3 hours of adding the drugs. RESULTS Blastocystis hominis count was reduced by 20.72%, 28.23%, and 18.92% after one hour of adding Ag Nps, Ag Nps + MTZ, and MTZ, respectively. Cysts count was further reduced by 51.49%, 61.61%, and 40.78% after 2 hours and by 71.69%, 79.67%, and 62.65% after 3 hours of adding the drugs in the same order, respectively. CONCLUSION There was a statistically significant difference (P<0.05) in the in vitro growth inhibition of the parasite over the different time intervals when using the tested drugs against the control drug.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Saad Younis
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | | | - Ali El saeed Ali
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Benha University, Benha, Egypt
| | | | - Rita Maher Wassef
- Medical Parasitology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Helwan University, Cairo, Egypt
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MOHAMMAD NA, MASTUKI MF, AL-MEKHLAFI HM, MOKTAR N, ANUAR TS. Comparative Study of Wheatley's Trichrome Stain and In-vitro Culture against PCR Assay for the Diagnosis of Blastocystis sp. in Stool Samples. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2018; 13:127-136. [PMID: 29963095 PMCID: PMC6019595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/22/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study evaluated the performance of routine permanent stain and cultivation method in comparison with polymerase chain reaction assay as the reference technique to detect Blastocystis sp. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among aboriginal populations that reside in Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia in Feb to Mar 2015. A total of 359 stool samples were examined using Wheatley's trichrome stain, in-vitro cultivation in Jones' medium and PCR assay. Positive amplicons were subjected to sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Fifty-six (15.6%) samples were detected positive with Blastocystis sp. by Wheatley's trichrome stain and 73 (20.3%) by in-vitro culture, while PCR assay detected 71 (19.8%) positive samples. Detection rate of Blastocystis sp. was highest in combination of microscopic techniques (27.9%). The sensitivity and specificity of Wheatley's trichrome staining and in-vitro culture techniques compared to PCR assay were 49.3% (95% CI: 37.2-61.4) and 92.7% (95% CI: 89.1-95.4) and 39.4% (95% CI: 28.0-51.8) and 84.4% (95% CI: 79.7-88.4), respectively. However, the sensitivity [60.6% (95% CI: 48.3-71.9)] of the method increased when both microscopic techniques were performed together. False negative results produced by microscopic techniques were associated with subtype 3. The agreement between Wheatley's trichrome stain, in-vitro culture and combination of microscopic techniques with PCR assay were statistically significant by Kappa statistics (Wheatley's trichrome stain: K = 0.456, P<0.001; in-vitro culture: K = 0.236, P<0.001 and combination techniques: K = 0.353, P<0.001). CONCLUSION The combination of microscopic technique is highly recommended to be used as a screening method for the diagnosis of Blastocystis infection either for clinical or epidemiological study to ensure better and accurate diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nabilah Amelia MOHAMMAD
- Center of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Fahmi MASTUKI
- Center of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hesham M. AL-MEKHLAFI
- Endemic and Tropical Diseases Unit, Medical Research Center, Jazan University, Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
- Dept. of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sana’a University, Sana’a, Yemen
| | - Norhayati MOKTAR
- Dept. of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tengku Shahrul ANUAR
- Center of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
- Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
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Partida-Rodríguez O, Serrano-Vázquez A, Nieves-Ramírez ME, Moran P, Rojas L, Portillo T, González E, Hernández E, Finlay BB, Ximenez C. Human Intestinal Microbiota: Interaction Between Parasites and the Host Immune Response. Arch Med Res 2017; 48:690-700. [PMID: 29290328 DOI: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2017.11.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2017] [Accepted: 11/24/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The human gut is a highly complex ecosystem with an extensive microbial community, and the influence of the intestinal microbiota reaches the entire host organism. For example, the microbiome regulates fat storage, stimulates or renews epithelial cells, and influences the development and maturation of the brain and the immune system. Intestinal microbes can protect against infection by pathogenic bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. Hence, the maintenance of homeostasis between the gut microbiota and the rest of the body is crucial for health, with dysbiosis affecting disease. This review focuses on intestinal protozoa, especially those still representing a public health problem in Mexico, and their interactions with the microbiome and the host. The decrease in prevalence of intestinal helminthes in humans left a vacant ecological niche that was quickly occupied by protozoa. Although the mechanisms governing the interaction between intestinal microbiota and protozoa are poorly understood, it is known that the composition of the intestinal bacterial populations modulates the progression of protozoan infection and the outcome of parasitic disease. Most reports on the complex interactions between intestinal bacteria, protozoa and the immune system emphasize the protective role of the microbiota against protozoan infection. Insights into such protection may facilitate the manipulation of microbiota components to prevent and treat intestinal protozoan infections. Here we discuss recent findings about the immunoregulatory effect of intestinal microbiota with regards to intestinal colonization by protozoa, focusing on infections by Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis spp, Giardia duodenalis, Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum. The possible consequences of the microbiota on parasitic, allergic and autoimmune disorders are also considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oswaldo Partida-Rodríguez
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México; Michael Smith Laboratories, University of Brithish Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Angélica Serrano-Vázquez
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Miriam E Nieves-Ramírez
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Patricia Moran
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Liliana Rojas
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Tobias Portillo
- Unidad de Bioinformática, Bioestadística y Biología Computacional. Red de Apoyo a la Investigación Científica, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Instituto Nacional De Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Enrique González
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - Eric Hernández
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México
| | - B Brett Finlay
- Michael Smith Laboratories, University of Brithish Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Cecilia Ximenez
- Unidad de Medicina Experimental, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de México, México.
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Lepczyńska M, Białkowska J, Dzika E, Piskorz-Ogórek K, Korycińska J. Blastocystis: how do specific diets and human gut microbiota affect its development and pathogenicity? Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 36:1531-1540. [PMID: 28326446 PMCID: PMC5554277 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-2965-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is an enteric parasite that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract of humans and many animals. This emerging parasite has a worldwide distribution. It is often identified as the most common eukaryotic organism reported in human fecal samples. This parasite is recognized and diagnosed more often than ever before. Furthermore, some strains develop resistance against currently recommended drugs, such as metronidazole; therefore, the use of natural remedies or special diets has many positive aspects that may address this problem. The goal of this review is to compare natural treatments and various diets against the efficacy of drugs, and describe their influence on the composition of the gut microbiota, which affects Blastocystis growth and the occurrence of symptoms. This article reviews important work in the literature, including the classification, life cycle, epidemiology, pathogenesis, pathogenicity, genetics, biology, and treatment of Blastocystis. It also includes a review of the current knowledge about human gut microbiota and various diets proposed for Blastocystis eradication. The literature has revealed that garlic, ginger, some medical plants, and many spices contain the most effective organic compounds for parasite eradication. They work by inhibiting parasitic enzymes and nucleic acids, as well as by inhibiting protein synthesis. The efficacy of any specific organic compound depends on the Blastocystis subtype, and, consequently, on its immunity to treatment. In conclusion, the article discusses the findings that human gut microbiota composition triggers important mechanisms at the molecular level, and, thus, has a crucial influence on the parasitic pathogenicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Lepczyńska
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, Olsztyn, 10-561, Poland.
| | - J Białkowska
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Warszawska 30, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - E Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, Olsztyn, 10-561, Poland
| | - K Piskorz-Ogórek
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, Olsztyn, Poland
- Regional Specialized Children's Hospital in Olsztyn, Żołnierska 18A, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - J Korycińska
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, Olsztyn, 10-561, Poland
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14
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Distribution and phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. subtypes isolated from IBD patients and healthy individuals in Iran. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2017; 36:2335-2342. [PMID: 28741097 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-017-3065-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Accepted: 07/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a single-celled intestinal parasite commonly found in humans and a broad range of animals all over the world. In humans, its role in health and disease remains unsettled. The aim of our study was to investigate the distribution of Blastocystis and Blastocystis subtypes (ST) in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and control subjects. A total of 71 stool samples were collected from IBD patients, 69 and 2 of whom had ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's Disease (CD), respectively. Moreover, 166 stool samples from healthy subjects were included as control samples. All stool samples were cultivated, and 550-bp fragments of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was amplified from Blastocystis-positive cultures. All PCR-positive samples were sequenced. Blastocystis was observed in 9 (12.67%) and 35 (21.1%) IBD patients and healthy controls, respectively. There was no statistically significant correlation between IBD and presence of Blastocystis (P = 0.147). There was a statistically significant correlation between age and Blastocystis colonization in the IBD group (P < 0.05), but not among healthy controls. No significant correlation between gender and colonization was observed. ST1 and ST3 were obtained from 1 (12.5%) and 7 (87.5%) IBD patients, respectively, while in the healthy control group, subtypes 1, 2, and 3 were found in 14 (40%), 12 (34.28%), and 9 (25.72%), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis showed no variation in the distribution of subtypes nor intra-subtype genetic diversity between samples acquired from IBD patients and healthy controls. This study showed a trend towards a lower prevalence of Blastocystis in IBD patients than in control subjects. ST3 sequences isolated from IBD patients and control individuals did not appear to differ genetically.
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JALALLOU N, IRAVANI S, REZAEIAN M, ALINAGHIZADE A, MIRJALALI H. Subtypes Distribution and Frequency of Blastocystis sp. Isolated from Diarrheic and Non-diarrheic Patients. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2017; 12:63-68. [PMID: 28761462 PMCID: PMC5522700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is one of the most common parasites, reported from both human and animals. This parasite is more prevalent in regions with low levels of hygiene, close contact with animal and unsuitable disposal systems. The aim of the study was to subtype Blastocystis sp., isolated from diarrheic and non-diarrheic patients using sequencing of 18S ribosomal DNA. METHODS Totally, 300 stool samples were collected from diarrheic and nondiarrheic patients referred to Imam Reza Hospital, Tehran from Apr to Aug 2015. All samples were concentrated using conventional Formalin - ether technique and recognized under light microscope. The fresh stool samples were also cultivated in clotted fetal bovine medium and examined for growing of Blastocystis every 48 h with direct smear slides for 10 d. DNA extraction was performed on all positive samples. Amplified DNA fragment of 18S rDNA was sequenced and compared with reference genes, previously deposited in Genbank database. RESULTS The number of diarrheic and non-diarrheic patients participated in the study was 134 (44.66%) and 166 (55.34%), respectively. Three subtypes 1, 2, 3 were identified from positive samples. Subtype 2 was the most prevalent (36.5%) followed by subtype 1 (33.3%) and subtype 3 (30.2%). There were no mixed subtypes. Furthermore, the most prevalent subtypes in diarrheic and non-diarrheic patients were subtype 2 (39.28%) and subtype 1 (37.14%), respectively. CONCLUSION Blastocystis sp., is one of the most prevalent unicellular parasites among diarrheic and non-diarrheic patients. Indeed, ST2 was the most prevalent subtype particularly in those samples collected from diarrheic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nahid JALALLOU
- Dept. of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, AJA University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahrokh IRAVANI
- AJA Cancer Research Center (ACRC), AJA University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa REZAEIAN
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Atefe ALINAGHIZADE
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed MIRJALALI
- Dept. of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, AJA University, Tehran, Iran, Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Correspondence
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Won EJ, Kim SH, Kee SJ, Shin JH, Suh SP, Chai JY, Ryang DW, Shin MG. Multiplex Real-Time PCR Assay Targeting Eight Parasites Customized to the Korean Population: Potential Use for Detection in Diarrheal Stool Samples from Gastroenteritis Patients. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0166957. [PMID: 27861635 PMCID: PMC5115832 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0166957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 11/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Intestinal parasitic diseases occur worldwide and can cause diarrhea or gastroenteritis; however, their diagnosis is quite difficult, especially in low-endemism countries. We developed a multiplex real-time PCR assay for detection of eight intestinal parasites and prospectively evaluated it for patients with gastroenteritis. The assay targeted Cryptosporidium parvum, Giardia lamblia, Entamoeba histolytica, Blastocystis hominis, Dientamoeba fragilis, Clonorchis sinensis, Metagonimus yokogawai, and Gymnophalloides seoi. Performance characteristics were evaluated based on recovery after DNA extraction, analytical sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, cross-reactivity, and interference characteristics. Clinical performance was validated against microscopy on 123 diarrheal samples. The assay demonstrated strong correlations between DNA concentrations and Ct values (R2, 0.9924–0.9998), and had a high PCR efficiency (83.3%–109.5%). Polymerase chain reactions detected as few as 10–30 copies of genomic DNA, and coefficient of variance was 0–7%. There was no cross-reactivity to the other 54 microorganisms tested. Interference occurred only in presence of high concentrations of erythrocytes or leukocytes. This assay had a higher correct identification rate (100.0% vs. 90.2%) and lower incorrect ID rate (0.0% vs. 9.8%) when compared to microscopy. Overall, this assay showed a higher sensitivity (100.0%; 95% confidence interval [CI] of 80.5–100.0) than microscopy (29.4%; 95% CI 10.31–55.96), and the specificity levels were comparable for both methods (100.0%; 95% CI 96.58–100.0). This newly developed multiplex real-time PCR assay offers a potential use for detecting intestinal parasitic pathogens customized to the Korean population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eun Jeong Won
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Kim
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung Jung Kee
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Hee Shin
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Soon Pal Suh
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong Yil Chai
- Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Dong Wook Ryang
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
| | - Myung Geun Shin
- Departments of Laboratory Medicine, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Brain Korea 21 Plus Project, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, Republic of Korea
- Environmental Health Center for Childhood Leukemia and Cancer, Chonnam National University Medical School and Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Jeollanam-do, Republic of Korea
- * E-mail:
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Seyer A, Karasartova D, Ruh E, Güreser AS, Imir T, Taylan-Ozkan A. Is "dried stool spots on filter paper method (DSSFP)" more sensitive and effective for detecting Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes by PCR and sequencing? Parasitol Res 2016; 115:4449-4455. [PMID: 27530517 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5231-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
PCR and DNA sequencing are currently the diagnostic methods of choice for detection of Blastocystis spp. and their suptypes. Fresh or frozen stool samples have disadvantages in terms of several aspects such as transportation, storage, and existence of PCR inhibitors. Filter paper technology may provide a solution to these issues. The aim of the present study was to detect Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes by employing two different preservation methods: conventional frozen stool (FS) and dried stool spots on filter paper (DSSFP). Concentration and purity of DNA, sensitivity of PCR, and DNA sequencing results obtained from the two methods were also compared. A total of 230 fecal samples were included and separated into two parts: one part of the fecal samples were directly frozen and stored at -20 °C. The remaining portion of the specimens were homogenized with saline and spread onto the filter papers as thin layer with a diameter of approximately 3 cm. After air-dried, the filter papers were stored at room temperature. DSSFP samples were collected by scraping from the filter papers. DNA were extracted by EURx Stool DNA Extraction Kit from both samples. Concentration and purity were measured with Nano-Drop, then PCR and sequencing were conducted for detection of Blastocystis spp. and its genotypes. Pure DNA was obtained with a A260/A280 ratio of 1.7-2.2 in both methods. DNA yield from FS was 25-405 ng/μl and average DNA concentration was 151 ng/μl, while these were 7-339 and 122 ng/μl for DSSFP, respectively. No PCR inhibition was observed in two methods. DNA from DSSFP were found to be stable and PCR were reproducible for at least 1 year. FS-PCR- and DSSFP-PCR-positive samples were 49 (21.3 %) and 58 (25.3 %), respectively (p = 0.078). The 43 specimens were concordantly positive by both FS-PCR and DSSFP-PCR. When the microscopy was taken as the gold standard, sensitivity of DSSFP-PCR and FS-PCR was 95.5 and 86.4 %, while specificity of both tests was 99.4 and 98.3 %, respectively. DNA sequencing results of 19 microscopically confirmed cases were strictly identical (concordance 100 %) in both methods, and ST2:6, ST3:8, ST4:3, and ST6:2 were the detected subtypes. Among the 230 fecal samples, the most predominant subtypes were ST3, ST2, ST4, and ST1 by both FS and DSSFP methods. Concordance of DNA sequencing results obtained from the two methods was noted to be 90.7 %. To our knowledge, this is the first study that demonstrates DNA extraction from DSSFP is more sensitive and effective than the FS method for diagnosis of Blastocystis spp. and their subtypes by PCR and DNA sequencing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayse Seyer
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Faculty of Health Sciences, Girne American University, Kyrenia, Cyprus
| | - Djursun Karasartova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Emrah Ruh
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ayse Semra Güreser
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey
| | - Turgut Imir
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus. .,Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Çorum, Turkey.
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de Lucio A, Martínez-Ruiz R, Merino FJ, Bailo B, Aguilera M, Fuentes I, Carmena D. Molecular Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis Isolates from Symptomatic Individuals Attending Two Major Public Hospitals in Madrid, Spain. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0143981. [PMID: 26641082 PMCID: PMC4671680 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0143981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2015] [Accepted: 11/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The flagellate protozoan Giardia duodenalis is an enteric parasite causing human giardiasis, a major gastrointestinal disease of global distribution affecting both developing and industrialised countries. In Spain, sporadic cases of giardiasis have been regularly identified, particularly in pediatric and immigrant populations. However, there is limited information on the genetic variability of circulating G. duodenalis isolates in the country. METHODS In this longitudinal molecular epidemiological study we report the diversity and frequency of the G. duodenalis assemblages and sub-assemblages identified in 199 stool samples collected from 184 individual with symptoms compatible with giardiasis presenting to two major public hospitals in Madrid for the period December 2013-January 2015. G. duodenalis cysts were initially detected by conventional microscopy and/or immunochomatography on stool samples. Confirmation of the infection was performed by direct immunofluorescence and real-time PCR methods. G. duodenalis assemblages and sub-assemblages were determined by multi-locus genotyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH) and β-giardin (BG) genes of the parasite. Sociodemographic and clinical features of patients infected with G. duodenalis were also analysed. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS Of 188 confirmed positive samples from 178 giardiasis cases a total of 124 G. duodenalis isolates were successfully typed at the GDH and/or the BG loci, revealing the presence of sub-assemblages BIV (62.1%), AII (15.3%), BIII (4.0%), AI (0.8%), and AIII (0.8%). Additionally, 6.5% of the isolates were only characterised at the assemblage level, being all of them assigned to assemblage B. Discordant genotype results AII/AIII or BIII/BIV were also observed in 10.5% of DNA isolates. A large number of multi-locus genotypes were identified in G. duodenalis assemblage B, but not assemblage A, isolates at both the GDH and BG loci, confirming the high degree of genetic variability observed in other molecular surveys. BIV was the most prevalent genetic variant of G. duodenalis found in individuals with symptomatic giardiasis in the population under study. CONCLUSIONS Human giardiasis is an ongoing public health problem in Spain affecting primarily young children under four years of age but also individuals of all age groups. Our typing and sub-typing results demonstrate that assemblage B is the most prevalent G. duodenalis assemblage circulating in patients with clinical giardiasis in Central Spain. Our analyses also revealed a large genetic variability in assemblage B (but not assemblage A) isolates of the parasite, corroborating the information obtained in similar studies in other geographical regions. We believe that molecular data presented here provide epidemiological evidence at the population level in support of the existence of genetic exchange within assemblages of G. duodenalis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aida de Lucio
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rocío Martínez-Ruiz
- Microbiology and Clinical Parasitology Service, University Hospital Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco J. Merino
- Microbiology Service, University Hospital Severo Ochoa, Leganés, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Aguilera
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Isabel Fuentes
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Service, National Centre for Microbiology, Carlos III Health Institute, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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