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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; 69:1576-1586. [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [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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Mızrak M, Sarzhanov F, Demirel F, Dinç B, Filik L, Dogruman-Al F. Detection of Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis using conventional and molecular methods in patients with celiac disease. Parasitol Int 2024; 101:102888. [PMID: 38499283 DOI: 10.1016/j.parint.2024.102888] [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: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 03/04/2024] [Accepted: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. and Dientamoeba fragilis are intestinal protists, which are common worldwide, but the pathogenic role of these organisms in gastrointestinal diseases is still controversial. This study aimed to investigate the frequency of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in stool samples from adult patients with celiac disease (CD) by using conventional and molecular methods. A total of 75 patients with CD and 75 healthy individuals were included in this study. Fresh stool specimens collected from each individual were analyzed by conventional and molecular methods. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis was 41.3% (31/75) and 24% (18/75) in patients with CD, and 46.7% (35/75) and 13.3% (10/75) in healthy controls, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis between CD patients and healthy individuals. Blastocystis sp. subtypes were identified in 20 CD and 16 control patients and the overall subtype distribution was observed as ST1 13.9%, ST2 30.6%, and ST3 55.6%. The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis in adults with CD is similar to the prevalence of protozoa in healthy adults. In this study, the most prevalent Blastocystis subtype was ST3 and the most frequent allele was a34 in both CD patients and healthy individuals. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the detection rates of Blastocystis sp. and D. fragilis, and it is thought that both protists may be colonisers of the intestinal microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muzaffer Mızrak
- Yozgat City Hospital, Department of Microbiology, Yozgat, Turkey
| | - Fakhriddin Sarzhanov
- Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Faculty of Medicine, Turkistan, Kazakhstan
| | - Filiz Demirel
- Health Science University, Ankara City Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Bedia Dinç
- Health Science University, Ankara City Hospital, Department of Medical Microbiology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Levent Filik
- Ankara Training and Research Hospital, Department of Gastroenterology, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Funda Dogruman-Al
- Gazi University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Medical Microbiology, Division of Medical Parasitology, Ankara, Turkey
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3
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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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Gureser AS, Karasartova D, Sarzhanov F, Kosar N, Taylan-Ozkan A, Dogruman-Al F. Prevalence of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in diarrheal patients in Corum, Türkiye. Parasitol Res 2023; 122:2977-2987. [PMID: 37779160 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07987-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
To investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in diarrhea patients and healthy individuals in Corum, Türkiye, fecal samples from 92 diarrhea patients and 50 healthy individuals were collected and evaluated using direct microscopy and molecular methods to screen for bacteria, protozoa, and viruses. The prevalence of Blastocystis was 24.6% in total and more frequent in the healthy group (30.0%). The commonly detected STs (subtypes) were ST3 (40.0%) and ST2 (34.2%). The distribution of Blastocystis STs in the healthy and diarrheal groups did not show any difference in sex and age, but ST3 was detected more frequently in patients aged from 40 to 59 years (p < 0.05). Alleles 4 (8/12) and 2 (4/12) were present in ST1; 9 (3/5) and 12 (2/5) in ST2; 34 (9/14), 36 (3/14), and 38 (2/14) in ST3; and only allele 42 (2/2) in ST4. D. fragilis was present in 8.4% of the population. However, there was no statistically significant difference between the healthy and diarrheic groups (12.0% and 6.5%, respectively), neither with respect to age nor sex. Co-infection was 58.3% and was more frequent in healthy individuals (33.3%) than in diarrhea patients (25.0%). Blastocystis ST3 was the most common subtype detected, with D. fragilis at 33.3%. Salmonella, Shigella, or helminth eggs were not observed in all groups, but Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Rotavirus, Adenovirus, and Clostridium difficile toxin were found only in diarrhea patients. These findings support the hypothesis that Blastocystis and D. fragilis may be part of the healthy human gut microbiome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Semra Gureser
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Abdurrahman Yurtaslan Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital, Ministry of Health, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Djursun Karasartova
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey
| | - Fakhiriddin Sarzhanov
- Faculty of Medicine, Khoja Akhmet Yassawi International Kazakh-Turkish University, Turkistan, Kazakhstan
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nezahat Kosar
- Microbiology Laboratory, Erbaa Governmental Hospital, Tokat, Turkey
| | - Aysegul Taylan-Ozkan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, TOBB-University of Economics and Technology, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Funda Dogruman-Al
- Division of Medical Parasitology, Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
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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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Yildiz İ, Erdem Aynur Z. First detection and molecular characterization of Dientamoeba fragilis in cattle. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:897-903. [PMID: 35796090 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Dientamoeba fragilis is a flagellated protozoan with amoeba-like morphology that inhabits the human gastrointestinal tract. It is endemic in a vast geography around the world, including developed countries. There are limited studies on non-human hosts of the parasite, and suitable hosts have not been clarified. The parasite has been detected in non-human primates, pigs, cats, dogs and rats. There is no study in the literature investigating and detecting the presence of this parasite in cattle. In this study, stool samples taken from 163 different cattle and calves from 11 different farms between March 2017 and May 2022 were examined for the detection of D. fragilis via PCR. Trichrome staining was performed on all PCR-positive samples. The isolates with the expected amplicon size were sequenced using the 18S ribosomal RNA region, and their genotypes were determined by BLAST analysis. Sequences were analysed with the most similar and reference sequences in the literature, forming a phylogenetic tree. We detected D. fragilis in 31 (19.01%) of the 163 stool samples. D. fragilis cysts/trophozoites were detected by trichrome staining method in six of 31 samples. All PCR products selected for molecular analysis from positive samples had the same nucleotide sequence. As a result of BLAST analysis, all sequences were determined to belong to D. fragilis genotype 1. This study determined for the first time that cattle are suitable hosts for D. fragilis. Furthermore, the parasite subtype we detected belongs to genotype 1, which is the most common type in humans, suggesting that the parasite may have a zoonotic character. Our result is important in terms of the epidemiology of the parasite, as the mode of transmission is controversial, and available data on its suitable hosts are limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- İbrahim Yildiz
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Erdem Aynur
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Parasitology, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
- Recombinant DNA and Recombinant Protein Application and Research Center, Adnan Menderes University, Aydin, Turkey
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Yetismis G, Yildirim A, Pekmezci D, Duzlu O, Ciloglu A, Onder Z, Simsek E, Ercan N, Pekmezci GZ, Inci A. First report and genotyping of Dientamoeba fragilis in pet budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), with zoonotic importance. Zoonoses Public Health 2022; 69:572-578. [PMID: 35467079 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
The protozoan Dientamoeba fragilis is one of the most common parasites in the digestive system of humans worldwide. The host range and transmission routes of D. fragilis, including the role of animals, are still ambiguous with few reports from non-human primates, sheep, rodents, pigs, a cat and a dog. In this study, we used microscopic and TaqMan qPCR analyses to investigate D. fragilisin 150 faecal samples from pet budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. Dientamoeba fragilis DNA was detected in 32 samples, resulting in a mean prevalence of 21.3%. In microscopic examination, trophozoites/cysts of D. fragilis were detected in 13 of 32 qPCR-positive samples. SSU rRNA sequence analyses of the qPCR-positive isolates identified genotype 1 of D. fragilis as predominant in budgerigars. Phylogenetic analyses of the SSU rRNA gene region clustered D. fragilis genotypes, as well as other trichomonads, in separate monophyletic clusters with bootstrap values ≥79.0. Our study provides the first evidence for the natural host status of pet budgerigars for D. fragilisand contributes to the knowledge of the epidemiology of this parasite. The high prevalence of genotype 1 of D. fragilis suggests that pet budgerigars are suitable reservoirs for zoonotic transmission. Our findings contribute to an increased awareness and knowledge of D. fragilis infections in the context of a one-health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gamze Yetismis
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Alparslan Yildirim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Didem Pekmezci
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Onder Duzlu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Arif Ciloglu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zuhal Onder
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Emrah Simsek
- Preclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Nuri Ercan
- Faculty of Agriculture, Kirsehir Ahi Evran University, Kirsehir, Turkey
| | - Gokmen Zafer Pekmezci
- Preclinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Inci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey
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