Frequency and distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in patients with spondyloarthritis in Bogotá, Colombia

Background: The aim of the present study is to describe the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. detection among asymptomatic subjects and patients with irritable bowel syndrome in order to evaluate the potential association between irritable bowel syndrome and the parasitic infection. Methods: Cross-sectional study where adult patients with irritable bowel syndrome diagnosed according to Rome IV criteria were included. A control group was formed by asymptomatic subjects older than 18 years. Exclusion criteria were: immunosuppressive condition or having received any drug with demonstrated activity against Blastocystis sp. within the last 6 months before study inclusion. Epidemiological and clinical information was collected from all included participants. Two stool samples were obtained from all participants: one sample for microscopic examination and one sample for Blastocystis sp. PCR detection. Blastocystis sp. infection was defined by the positivity of any of the diagnostic techniques. Results: Seventy-two participants were included (36 asymptomatic subjects and 36 patients with irritable bowel syndrome). Thirty-five (48.6%) were men, and median age of participants was 34 (IQR 29–49) years. The overall rate of Blastocystis sp. carriage was 27.8% (20/72). The prevalence assessed through microscopic examination was 22.2% (16/72), while the prevalence measured by PCR was 15.3% (11/72). When comparing the presence of Blastocystis sp. between asymptomatic subjects and IBS patients, we did not find any statistically significant difference (36.1% vs. 19.4% respectively, p = 0.114). Conclusions: regarding the occurrence of Blastocystis sp., no differences were found between asymptomatic participants and patients with irritable bowel disease irrespective of the diagnostic technique performed.

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Molecular identification and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in hospital patients in Central China

European Journal of Protistology ◽

10.1016/j.ejop.2021.125796 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 125796

Author(s):

Junqiang Li ◽

Haiju Dong ◽

Md Robiul Karim ◽

Xianli Yang ◽

Liqin Chao ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Molecular Identification ◽

Central China ◽

Hospital Patients ◽

Blastocystis Sp

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Molecular Subtyping of Blastocystis sp. Isolated from Farmed Animals in Southern Italy

Microorganisms ◽

10.3390/microorganisms9081656 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (8) ◽

pp. 1656

Author(s):

Simona Gabrielli ◽

Marialetizia Palomba ◽

Federica Furzi ◽

Emanuele Brianti ◽

Gabriella Gaglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Current Knowledge ◽

Pcr Amplification ◽

Epidemiological Studies ◽

Fallow Deer ◽

Small Subunit ◽

Zoonotic Transmission ◽

Ssu Rrna ◽

Molecular Approaches ◽

Wide Range ◽

Blastocystis Sp

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist distributed worldwide, infecting humans and a wide range of domestic and wild animals. It exhibits an extensive genetic diversity and, so far, 25 distinct small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) lineages termed subtypes (STs)) have been characterized; among them, 12 have thus far been reported in humans. The aims of the present study were to detect and genetically characterize Blastocystis sp. in synantropic animals to improve our current knowledge on the distribution and zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis STs in Italy. Samples were collected from N = 193 farmed animals and submitted to DNA extraction and PCR amplification of the SSU rRNA. Blastocystis was detected in 60 samples (31.08%) and successfully subtyped. Phylogenetic analysis evidenced that the isolates from fallow deer, goats, and pigs (N = 9) clustered within the ST5; those from pheasants (N = 2) in the ST6; those from chickens (N = 8) in the ST7; those from sheep (N = 6) in the ST10; and those from water buffaloes (N = 9) in the ST14 clade. The comparison between the present isolates from animals and those previously detected in humans in Italy suggested the animal-to-human spillover for ST6 and ST7. The present study represents the widest Blastocystis survey performed thus far in farmed animals in Italy. Further epidemiological studies using molecular approaches are required to determine the occurrence and distribution of Blastocystis STs in other potential animal reservoirs in Italy and to define the pathways of zoonotic transmission.

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