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Kot K, Michaliszyn A, Kalisińska E, Lepczyńska M. The influence of plant extracts on viability of ST3 and ST7 subtypes of Blastocystis sp. Gut Pathog 2024; 16:19. [PMID: 38570865 PMCID: PMC10988960 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-024-00613-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is one of the most frequently detected protozoa during stool specimen examination. In the last decade, the studies about the pathogenic potential of Blastocystis sp. have intensified. Additionally, treatment approaches against this parasite are still disputable. The study aimed to investigate the in vitro activity of the substances of natural origin against two subtypes (ST) of Blastocystis sp.-ST3 and ST7. Garlic and turmeric extracts exhibited the highest inhibitory effect in relation to the ST3 viability. While horseradish and turmeric were found to be the most effective extracts to the ST7 viability. The study showed that ginger, garlic, horseradish, and turmeric extracts have potent antimicrobial activity against Blastocystis ST3 and ST7, with the half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 3.8 to 4.8 µg/ml and from 3.3 to 72.0 µg/ml, respectively, and thus may be useful in the prevention and control of Blastocystis infections. Additionally, this research confirmed that Blastocystis ST7 is more resistant to the selected plant extracts treatment than Blastocystis ST3 which in consequence may bring some difficulties in its eradication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Kot
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
| | - Adam Michaliszyn
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Elżbieta Kalisińska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Lepczyńska
- Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
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Kumarasamy V, Rajamanikam A, Anbazhagan D, Atroosh WM, Azzani M, Subramaniyan V, Abdullah SR. Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: Epidemiology of Human Blastocystis spp. Infection in Malaysia. Trop Med Infect Dis 2023; 8:415. [PMID: 37624353 PMCID: PMC10457748 DOI: 10.3390/tropicalmed8080415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis spp. is a unicellular enteric protozoan parasite in humans with a controversial role in disease etiology. It is common in developing countries among immunocompromised patients and people who have close contact with animals. In this study, we have systematically reviewed previous studies on the distribution and genotypes of human Blastocystis infection in Peninsular Malaysia. Studies examining the prevalence of Blastocystis in diverse demographics, including rural, urban, comorbid conditions, and high-risk populations, were taken into consideration. The infection has been reported in nine states; the total percentage of infection was 17.8% (1671/9397), with the most cases in Pahang (27.3%) and the least in Johor (3.4%). Molecular studies revealed the presence of six subtypes: ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, and ST6. ST3 was reported as the predominant subtype in all the states, with a prevalence of 54.7% (338/618). The findings provide greater clarity on the epidemiology of Blastocystis in Malaysia, which will help in policy making towards planning and strategizing control measures against the parasite.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinoth Kumarasamy
- Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
| | - Arutchelvan Rajamanikam
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Deepa Anbazhagan
- Department of Medical Microbiology, International Medical School (IMS), Management & Science University (MSU), Shah Alam 40100, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Wahib Mohammed Atroosh
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia
| | - Meram Azzani
- Department of Public Health Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Sungai Buloh 47000, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Vetriselvan Subramaniyan
- Pharmacology Unit, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
- Center for Transdisciplinary Research, Department of Pharmacology, Saveetha Dental College, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600077, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Syamsa Rizal Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology & Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Jalan Yaacob Latif, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur 56000, Malaysia;
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Chen H, Hao Y, Liu Y, Xu M, Zhang W, Li H, Yang F. The frequency and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in humans and domestic animals in households in Heilongjiang Province, China. Acta Trop 2023; 240:106844. [PMID: 36706827 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2023.106844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is an enteric protozoan able to infect humans and a large variety of animal hosts worldwide. It exhibits significant genetic diversity, with at least 17 subtypes (STs) identified to date, most of which have low host specificity. In the present study, a cross-sectional survey was conducted on Blastocystis infection among humans and domestic animals sharing habitats in northeastern China's Heilongjiang Province, in order to investigate the frequency and subtype distribution and to evaluate the risk of the zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis sp..Results show that the frequency was 10.5% (6/57), and three subtypes (ST1, ST2, and ST3) were found in humans; in animals, the frequency was 17.9% (46/257), and six subtypes (ST1, ST3, ST5, ST7, ST10, and ST26) were detected. A significant association between Blastocystis sp. infection and eating unwashed vegetables and fruits was found (P = 0.007). We found no effect on gender, age and season on Blastocystis sp. colonization. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Blastocystis ST7 sequences from chicken in two geographical locations formed two distinct clades. Alleles were identified using the Blastocystis 18S database, and a total of 10 different alleles were found in seven STs. Overlap of STs in humans and domestic animals (pig or cattle) was observed in Dongfanghong village. The findings of potentially zoonotic subtypes in domestic animals suggest that these animals may serve as reservoirs of human Blastocystis sp. infections. Multisectoral cooperation is needed to slow down the transmission of Blastocystis in domestic animals, minimize environmental contamination by Blastocystis cysts, and increase molecular epidemiological surveillance of Blastocystis sp. in humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongshuang Chen
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Yaru Hao
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Yuqing Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Jiamusi University, Jiamusi, Heilongjiang 154007, China.
| | - Mingqi Xu
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Weizhe Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - He Li
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
| | - Fengkun Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
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Meclat VYB, Ancheta KSB, Adao DEV, Rivera WL. Phylogenetic relationship of nonmammalian and avian Blastocystis isolates and conventional subtypes. J Parasit Dis 2023; 47:192-197. [PMID: 36910318 PMCID: PMC9998794 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-022-01554-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 11/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is an intestinal protist commonly identified in human and animal feces. At present, there are 28 proposed subtypes (STs) identified based on the small subunit rRNA gene, 13 of which are found in both humans and animals. In general, nonmammalian and avian groups are infected by the nonmammalian and avian subtypes (NMASTs). However, NMASTs were also isolated from mammalian hosts, suggesting possible cross-contamination and transmission from nonmammalian and avian hosts to other animals and, potentially, humans. Thus, this study determined the possible relationship between NMAST sequences and conventional STs to provide new insights into Blastocystis classification, identification, and epidemiological significance. Phylogenetic trees were constructed using three statistical models, namely, Maximum Likelihood, Neighbor Joining, and Maximum Parsimony, based on the 30 NMAST sequences. The NMAST sequences formed groups clustered closely with other NMAST subtrees. Most sequences of nonmammalian and avian isolates formed distinct monophyletic clades based on their NMAST classification, with some clustering with mammalian and avian STs. These results indicate the close relationship between Blastocystis isolated from mammalian and avian hosts and nonmammalian and avian hosts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at (10.1007/s12639-022-01554-7).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vanessa Yvonne B. Meclat
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Keith Sigfred B. Ancheta
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Davin Edric V. Adao
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Windell L. Rivera
- Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines
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Zhang K, Qin Z, Qin H, Wang Y, Wang L, Fu Y, Hou C, Ji C, Yuan Y, Zhang L. First detection of Blastocystis sp. in migratory whooper swans ( Cygnus cygnus) in China. One Health 2023; 16:100486. [PMID: 36683961 PMCID: PMC9846003 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Revised: 01/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/07/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a usual intestinal protist that always found in humans and various animals. Currently, the prevalence of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus) is unknown. In our research, we aimed to determine the occurrence, prevalence, subtype distribution and dynamic transmission mechanisms of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan in China. We also assessed the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates, as well as possible routes of transmission and impact of this organism on One Health perspective. Fecal samples (n = 770) were collected from whooper swans inhabiting the Sanmenxia Swan Lake National Urban Wetland Park, China. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis was 11.6% (89/770). We identified 9 subtypes of Blastocystis sp., including 5 zoonotic subtypes [ST1 (Cakir et al., 2019 (8)), ST4 (Selma and Karanis, 2011 (4)), ST5 (Stensvold et al., 2009 (1)), ST6 (Fare et al., 2019 (5)) and ST7(58)] and 3 host-specific subtypes [ST10 (Zhao et al., 2018 (7)), ST14 (Tan et al., 2010 (2)), ST23 (Wang et al., 2018 (3)), and ST25 (Stensvold et al., 2009 (1))]. Subtypes ST4, ST5, ST6, ST10, ST14, ST23, and ST25 were first identified in the whooper swan. Among these subtypes, ST23 and ST25 were identified in birds for the first time, indicating that these subtypes are expanding their host range. So far, this is the first research reporting on the prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis in the migratory whooper swan in China. The findings obtained in this study will provide new insights into the genetic diversity and transmission routes of Blastocystis, and the possible public health concerns posed by this organism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Ziyang Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Huikai Qin
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Yinlin Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Luyang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Yin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China
| | - Changjiang Hou
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Chenxiao Ji
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Yuan Yuan
- Sanmenxia Management Office of Henan Yellow River Wetland National Nature Reserve, Sanmenxia 472000, PR China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan Province, PR China,Key Laboratory of Quality and Safety Control of Poultry Products (Zhengzhou), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, PR China,Corresponding author at: College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, No. 15 Longzihu University Area, Zhengzhou New District, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.
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Sánchez-Juanes F, Calvo Sánchez N, Belhassen García M, Vieira Lista C, Román RM, Álamo Sanz R, Muro Álvarez A, Muñoz Bellido JL. Applications of MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry to the Identification of Parasites and Arthropod Vectors of Human Diseases. Microorganisms 2022; 10:2300. [PMID: 36422371 PMCID: PMC9695109 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Arthropod vectors and parasites are identified morphologically or, more recently, by molecular methods. Both methods are time consuming and require expertise and, in the case of molecular methods, specific devices. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) identification of bacteria has meant a major change in clinical microbiology laboratories because of its simplicity, speed and specificity, and its capacity to identify microorganisms, in some cases, directly from the sample (urine cultures, blood cultures). Recently, MALDI-TOF MS has been shown as useful for the identification of some parasites. On the other hand, the identification of vector arthropods and the control of their populations is essential for the control of diseases transmitted by arthropods, and in this aspect, it is crucial to have fast, simple and reliable methods for their identification. Ticks are blood-sucking arthropods with a worldwide distribution, that behave as efficient vectors of a wide group of human and animal pathogens, including bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and even helminths. They are capable of parasitizing numerous species of mammals, birds and reptiles. They constitute the second group of vectors of human diseases, after mosquitoes. MALDI-TOF MS has been shown as useful for the identification of different tick species, such as Ixodes, Rhipicephalus and Amblyomma. Some studies even suggest the possibility of being able to determine, through MALDI-TOF MS, if the arthropod is a carrier of certain microorganisms. Regarding mosquitoes, the main group of vector arthropods, the possibility of using MALDI-TOF MS for the identification of different species of Aedes and Anopheles has also been demonstrated. In this review, we address the possibilities of this technology for the identification of parasites and arthropod vectors, its characteristics, advantages and possible limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Sánchez-Juanes
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Noelia Calvo Sánchez
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Moncef Belhassen García
- Department of Medicine-Infectious Diseases, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Carmen Vieira Lista
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Raul Manzano Román
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Rufino Álamo Sanz
- Public Health Information Service, Consejería de Sanidad, Junta de Castilla y León, 47007 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Antonio Muro Álvarez
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Muñoz Bellido
- Department of Microbiology, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
- Centro de Investigación en Enfermedades Tropicales de la Universidad de Salamanca (CIETUS), Universidad de Salamanca, 37008 Salamanca, Spain
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (IBSAL), Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Universidad de Salamanca, CSIC, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
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Smith D, Jheeta S, Fuentes HV, Palacios-Pérez M. Feeding Our Microbiota: Stimulation of the Immune/Semiochemical System and the Potential Amelioration of Non-Communicable Diseases. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:1197. [PMID: 36013376 DOI: 10.3390/life12081197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 07/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Non-communicable diseases are those conditions to which causative infectious agents cannot readily be assigned. It is increasingly likely that at least some of these conditions are due to the breakdown of the previously mutualistic intestinal microbiota under the influence of a polluted, biocide-rich, environment. Following the mid-20th century African studies of Denis Burkitt, the environmental cause of conditions such as obesity has been ascribed to the absence of sufficient fibre in the modern diet, however in itself that is insufficient to explain the parallel rise of problems with both the immune system and of mental health. Conversely, Burkitt himself noted that the Maasai, a cattle herding people, remained healthy even with their relatively low intake of dietary fibre. Interestingly, however, Burkitt also emphasised that levels of non-communicable disease within a population rose as faecal weight decreased significantly, to about one third of the levels found in healthy populations. Accordingly, a more cogent explanation for all the available facts is that the fully functioning, adequately diverse microbiome, communicating through what has been termed the microbiota–gut–brain axis, helps to control the passage of food through the digestive tract to provide itself with the nutrition it needs. The method of communication is via the production of semiochemicals, interkingdom signalling molecules, potentially including dopamine. In turn, the microbiome aids the immune system of both adult and, most importantly, the neonate. In this article we consider the role of probiotics and prebiotics, including fermented foods and dietary fibre, in the stimulation of the immune system and of semiochemical production in the gut lumen. Finally, we reprise our suggestion of an ingestible sensor, calibrated to the detection of such semiochemicals, to assess both the effectiveness of individual microbiomes and methods of amelioration of the associated non-communicable diseases.
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Suh S, Lee H, Seo MG, Kim KT, Eo KY, Kwon YS, Park SJ, Kwon OD, Kim TH, Kwak D. Molecular Detection and Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis in Korean Dogs. Korean J Parasitol 2022; 60:289-293. [PMID: 36041491 PMCID: PMC9441454 DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2022.60.4.289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a genus of unicellular heterokont parasites belonging to a group of organisms known as Stramenopiles, which includes algae, diatoms, and water molds. Blastocystis includes several species that habitat in the gastrointestinal tracts of organisms as diverse as humans, farm animals, birds, rodents, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and cockroaches. It is important to public health and distributed globally, but its prevalence in dogs in Korea has not been reported to date. Here, we collected 787 canine fecal samples and assessed Blastocystis infection by age, sex, region, season, and diarrhea symptoms. We determined Blastocystis subtypes using phylogenetic analyses based on 18S rRNA gene sequences. We identified, 10 Blastocystis positive samples (1.3%). A higher proportion of infected dogs was asymptomatic; however, infection rates did not significantly differ according to region, age, sex, and season. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the Blastocystis sp. identified belonged to 4 subtypes (STs), ST1, ST5, ST10, and ST14, thus revealed the genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This is first report on the presence of Blastocystis sp. in dogs Korean. This study revealed a lower infection rate than expected and differed from previous studies in STs. Further studies are warranted to observe the national infection status of Blastocystis in dogs and the genetic characteristics of this genus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangsu Suh
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Haeseung Lee
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Min-Goo Seo
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Kyoo-Tae Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Kyung-Yeon Eo
- Department of Animal Health and Welfare, College of Healthcare and Biotechnology, Semyung University, Jecheon 27136, Korea
| | - Young-Sam Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Sang-Joon Park
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Oh-Deog Kwon
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Tae-Hwan Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
| | - Dongmi Kwak
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea
- Corresponding author ()
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Rauff-Adedotun AA, Nuur Syafyqah S, Nur Soleha R, Noranis Shahida S, Farah Haziqah MT. Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in freshwater fishes, poultry, and caprine from Penang, Malaysia. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 33:100749. [PMID: 35820721 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is an enigmatic intestinal protist of humans and many animals. There is growing interest in its potential as an enteric pathogen, and the possible role of domestic and in-contact animals as reservoirs for human infection. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of Blastocystis infection in fishes, poultry, and caprine in Penang, Malaysia. A total of 353 faecal samples/intestinal contents, consisting of 123 intestinal contents from freshwater fishes, 96 intestinal contents of commercially barn-reared chickens, 84 intestinal contents of barn-reared quails, and 50 faecal samples of caprine (29 from meat goats and 21 from dairy goats) were collected. Faecal sample/intestinal content from each animal was subjected to in-vitro cultivation method using Jones' medium supplemented with 10% horse serum. The respective colonization frequencies for dairy and meat goats were 47.6% and 31.0%, whereas 26.1% was recorded for chickens and 16.7% for quails. None of the freshwater fishes were found infected with Blastocystis. The organism was most commonly seen as spherically shaped vacuolated forms and cell diameter was significantly larger in poultry than in caprine. For further studies, molecular characterization of Blastocystis in poultry and livestock animals in the study area is highly recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- A A Rauff-Adedotun
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Penang, Malaysia
| | - S Nuur Syafyqah
- School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 16150 Kubang Kerian, Kelantan, Malaysia
| | - R Nur Soleha
- Faculty of Agro-Based Industry, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Jeli Campus, Locked Bag No. 100, 17600 Jeli, Kelantan
| | - S Noranis Shahida
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Penang, Malaysia
| | - M T Farah Haziqah
- School of Biological Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 11800 USM Penang, Malaysia.
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Rudzińska M, Kowalewska B, Kurpas M, Szostakowska B. Rare Occurrence of Blastocystis in Pet Animals and Their Owners in the Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland in the Light of Literature Data. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11112975. [PMID: 35683363 PMCID: PMC9181306 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11112975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Revised: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is an intestinal microeukaryote with ambiguous pathogenicity, commonly detected in human feces worldwide. It comprises at least 28 genetically diverse subtypes (STs), 12 of which also occur in a wide range of animal species, giving rise to suspicion of zoonotic transmission. To investigate this, we conducted a molecular study of 145 stool samples of pet animals, and 67 of their owners, living in an urban area in Poland. Blastocystis was detected in only three (2.1%) animal samples (of two bearded agamas and a leopard gecko), while all dogs, cats, and pet rodents were Blastocystis-negative. Blastocystis was also present in three (4.5%) owners of animals, but they were cat owners, not reptile owners, and the subtypes identified in them differed significantly from those of reptiles. Additionally, the frequency of Blastocystis in different groups of dogs (depending on how they were kept) was analyzed. This work is the first to find Blastocystis in pet reptiles, and we encourage further investigation of Blastocystis in this poorly examined group of animals, as well as continued study on the transmission of this microorganism between humans and animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rudzińska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (M.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Beata Kowalewska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland; (M.R.); (B.K.)
| | - Monika Kurpas
- Department of Immunobiology and Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland;
| | - Beata Szostakowska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdansk, Poland
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-58-349-19-44
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Smith D, Palacios-pérez M, Jheeta S. The Enclosed Intestinal Microbiome: Semiochemical Signals from the Precambrian and Their Disruption by Heavy Metal Pollution. Life (Basel) 2022; 12:287. [PMID: 35207574 PMCID: PMC8879143 DOI: 10.3390/life12020287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
It is increasingly likely that many non-communicable diseases of humans and associated animals are due to the degradation of their intestinal microbiomes, a situation often referred to as dysbiosis. An analysis of the resultant diseases offers an opportunity to probe the function of these microbial partners of multicellular animals. In our view, it now seems likely that vertebrate animals and their microbiomes have coevolved throughout the Ediacaran–Cambrian transition and beyond, operating by semiochemical messaging between the multicellular host and its microbial community guest. A consideration of the overall role of the mutualistic intestinal microbiome as an enclosed bioreactor throws up a variety of challenging concepts. In particular: the significance of the microbiome with respect to the immune system suggests that microeukaryotes could act as microbial sentinel cells; the ubiquity of bacteriophage viruses implies the rapid turnover of microbial composition by a viral-shunt mechanism; and high microbial diversity is needed to ensure that horizontal gene transfer allows valuable genetic functions to be expressed. We have previously postulated that microbes of sufficient diversity must be transferred from mother to infant by seemingly accidental contamination during the process of natural birth. We termed this maternal microbial inheritance and suggested that it operates alongside parental genetic inheritance to modify gene expression. In this way, the adjustment of the neonate immune system by the microbiome may represent one of the ways in which the genome of a vertebrate animal interacts with its microbial environment. The absence of such critical functions in the neonate may help to explain the observation of persistent immune-system problems in affected adults. Equally, granted that the survival of the guest microbiome depends on the viability of its host, one function of microbiome-generated semiochemicals could be to facilitate the movement of food through the digestive tract, effectively partitioning nutrition between host and guest. In the event of famine, downregulation of microbial growth and therefore of semiochemical production would allow all available food to be consumed by the host. Although it is often thought that non-communicable diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, are caused by consumption of food containing insufficient dietary fibre, our hypothesis suggests that poor-quality food is not the prime cause but that the tendency for disease follows the degradation of the intestinal microbiome, when fat build-up occurs because the relevant semiochemicals can no longer be produced. It is the purpose of this paper to highlight the possibility that the origins of the microbiome lie in the Precambrian and that the disconnection of body and microbiome gives rise to non-communicable disease through the loss of semiochemical signalling. We further surmise that this disconnect has been largely brought about by heavy metal poisoning, potentially illuminating a facet of the exposome, the sum total of environmental insults that influence the expression of the genetic inheritance of an animal.
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Wakid MH, Aldahhasi WT, Alsulami MN, El-Kady AM, Elshabrawy HA. Identification and Genetic Characterization of Blastocystis Species in Patients from Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Infect Drug Resist 2022; 15:491-501. [PMID: 35360371 PMCID: PMC8963194 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s347220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis species (sp.) are gastrointestinal protozoan parasites with high prevalence rates worldwide. Blastocystis sp. show extensive genetic diversity with 17 different subtypes (STs) described to date. A few studies have investigated the prevalence and STs of Blastocystis sp. in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Therefore, we aimed in this study to identify and characterize subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in the City of Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Methods Stool samples were collected from 140 patients who presented to King Abdulaziz Hospital, Hera General Hospital and Modern Medical Center in Saudi Arabia. Different microscopic examination methods of patients’ stools and molecular analyses (using primers targeting SSU rRNA gene) were performed to identify and characterize STs of Blastocystis sp. Results Our microscopic examination of stool samples showed that 96/140 patients (68.6%) had Blastocystis sp. infection. Clinical examination of infected patients revealed that 81 patients were symptomatic, whereas 15 were asymptomatic. Next, we isolated DNA from Blastocystis sp.-positive stool samples followed by PCR amplification of small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and sequence analysis. Our sequence analysis showed that subtype 3 (ST3) was the most prevalent (53.13%) followed by subtype 1 (ST1) (45.83%), whereas subtype 2 (ST2) was the least prevalent (1.04%). Moreover, our results showed that all three STs resulted in more symptomatic than asymptomatic cases. Finally, we identified novel haplotypes which comprised of 8 ST3, 6 ST1, and one ST2 haplotypes. Conclusion Our identification of several haplotypes in patients’ stools confirms the genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. and may explain the reported low host specificity and differential pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp. We believe that additional molecular epidemiological and genomic studies are needed to understand the prevalence and pathogenicity of different subtypes in humans and animal hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majed H Wakid
- Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahd Medical Research Center, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, 21589, Saudi Arabia
| | - Waad T Aldahhasi
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 21493, Saudi Arabia
| | - Muslimah N Alsulami
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Jeddah, Jeddah, 21493, Saudi Arabia
| | - Asmaa M El-Kady
- Department of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, South Valley University, Qena, 83523, Egypt
- Correspondence: Asmaa M El-Kady; Hatem A Elshabrawy, Email ;
| | - Hatem A Elshabrawy
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Sam Houston State University, Conroe, TX, 77304, USA
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Liu X, Ni F, Wang R, Li J, Ge Y, Yang X, Qi M, Zhang L. Occurrence and subtyping of Blastocystis in coypus (Myocastor coypus) in China. Parasit Vectors 2022; 15:14. [PMID: 34991712 PMCID: PMC8734224 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-05126-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 12/11/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is an anaerobic unicellular protist frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals worldwide. However, the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in the coypu (Myocastor coypus) population have not been reported so far. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates detected in coypus in China. RESULTS A total of 308 fecal samples were collected from coypus in seven regions across China and subsequently examined. Blastocystis was detected in 44 (14.3%) specimens by nested PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Further DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses resulted in the identification of two zoonotic known subtypes, ST4 and ST5, and an unknown subtype. ST4 was the most predominant subtype observed in the samples. ST5 infections were only observed in three coypus. Factors that were associated with prevalence of Blastocystis included age, geographical region and subtype. Interestingly, this is the first report about a potentially novel subtype infecting coypus. CONCLUSIONS This is the first comprehensive report of Blastocystis in M. coypus across a wide geographic range of China. A moderate degree of genetic divergence was observed. The presence of zoonotic subtypes in farmed M. coypus suggests that these animals have the potential to transmit blastocystosis to both humans and domestic animals. These findings provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity of Blastocystis in rodents and contribute towards the establishment of efficient blastocystosis control strategies in the investigated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuehan Liu
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan Province China
- Postdoctoral Research Base, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046 Henan Province China
| | - Fuzhen Ni
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan Province China
| | - Rongjun Wang
- Postdoctoral Research Base, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046 Henan Province China
| | - Junqiang Li
- Postdoctoral Research Base, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046 Henan Province China
| | - Yaming Ge
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan Province China
| | - Xuefeng Yang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, Xinxiang, 453003 Henan Province China
| | - Meng Qi
- College of Animal Science, Tarim University, Alar, 843300 Xinjiang Province China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- Postdoctoral Research Base, College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046 Henan Province China
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Maleki B, Olfatifar M, Dodangeh S, Ahmadi N, Gorgipour M, Javanmard E. Subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. isolated from humans in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Gastroenterol Hepatol Bed Bench 2022; 15:294-310. [PMID: 36762220 PMCID: PMC9876770 DOI: 10.22037/ghfbb.v15i4.2475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 02/11/2023]
Abstract
Aim This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the subtyped Blastocystis sp. isolated from humans in Iran. Background Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan that infects humans as well as domestic and wild animals, i.e. mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods. Methods A comprehensive search for papers published before April 2022 was undertaken utilizing English and Persian databases. The following MeSH keywords were used in the electronic search: (Blastocystis sp.) AND (molecular OR subtype) AND (prevalence OR epidemiology) AND Iran. The quality of the included studies was evaluated. Thereafter, a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the pooled prevalence and odds ratios regarding the included studies. Results A total of 32 studies comprised of five case-control studies and 27 cross-sectional studies met the eligibility criteria. The overall pooled prevalence of subtyped Blastocystis sp. in Iran was estimated to be 10% (95% confidence interval: 6 to 15%). Eight subtypes of Blastocystis sp. (ST1- ST7 and ST9) were identified in our study, of which ST3 was the most common subtype (0.04); 0.02-0.07). The difference in subtypes between two case and control groups in reported studies was not significant, but the odds ratio of infection by ST3 (0.98; 95% CI, 0.30 to 3.20) was higher in cases. Conclusion The current systematic review showed that with the exception of ST8 and ST12, all human Blastocystis sp. subtypes reported in the world are found in different parts of Iran.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahman Maleki
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran Iran
| | - Meysam Olfatifar
- Gastroenterology and Hepatology Diseases Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran
| | - Samira Dodangeh
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Nayebali Ahmadi
- Proteomics Research Center, Department of Medical Lab Technology, Faculty of Paramedical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Gorgipour
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran Iran
| | - Ehsan Javanmard
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran Iran
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Chang Y, Yan Y, Han H, Wu Y, Li J, Ning C, Zhang S, Zhang L. Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in free-range Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China. One Health 2021; 13:100347. [PMID: 34820500 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2021] [Revised: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is one of the most common enteric parasites in humans and domestic animals. For Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats, the traditional grazing methods still occupy a dominant position, and the close contact between humans and domestic animals increases the risk of infection by Blastocystis between herdsmen and livestock. However, less pertinent information is available for Tibetan sheep or Tibetan goats. In this study, 880 fecal specimens from Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats were collected from 6 sampling sites in Tibet to test for Blastocystis using the polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis of the partial SSU rRNA gene. The infection rate of Blastocystis was 8.55% for Tibetan sheep (53/620) and 8.46% for Tibetan goats (22/260). The genetic analysis of 53 positive samples from Tibetan sheep identified 4 known subtypes (ST4, ST5, ST10, and ST14). Four known subtypes (ST1, ST5, ST6, and ST10) were identified in Tibetan goats. ST10 was the dominant subtype in Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats, accounting for 65.33% (49/75) of total subtypes. ST1, ST4, ST5, and ST6 were recognized as belonging to zoonotic subtypes. This report provides a detailed data on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats in Tibet, which enriches the epidemiological data of Blastocystis infection in Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats in China. Our results indicated that Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats can be infected with multiple Blastocystis subtypes, including zoonotic subtypes. More research is needed among humans, livestock and wild animals in Tibet to better understand their role in the spread of Blastocystis. And, One Health measures need to be taken to control and prevent its zoonotic transmission. Tibetan sheep and Tibetan goats were examined the Blastocystis for the first time. Subtypes ST4, ST5, ST10, ST14 in Tibetan sheep and subtypes ST1, ST5, ST6, ST10 in Tibetan goats were identified separately. Four potential zoonotic subtypes (ST1, ST4, ST5, ST6) were detected in this article.
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Ruang-Areerate T, Piyaraj P, Suwannahitatorn P, Ruang-Areerate P, Thita T, Naaglor T, Witee U, Sakboonyarat B, Leelayoova S, Mungthin M. Zoonotic Transmission of Blastocystis Subtype 1 among People in Eastern Communities of Thailand: Organic Fertilizer from Pig Feces as a Potential Source. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0036221. [PMID: 34585984 DOI: 10.1128/Spectrum.00362-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp., the most common intestinal protozoa, remains a public health problem among people in many countries, particularly in rural areas of developing countries. The infection usually reflects poor sanitation in communities by waterborne, zoonotic, and person-to-person transmission. Interestingly, at least 17 subtypes (STs) have been reported and are associated with a broad range of animal hosts, including humans. In this study, we reported potential evidence of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis ST1 in rural communities of eastern Thailand where the overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 15.7%. Two major and three minor subtypes were found to be distributed unequally in this region. Of 5 STs, only ST1 was found to be associated with pig feces in an open farm system that produced organic fertilizer for agriculture uses in the community. This finding suggests that properly protective contact and standard production of organic fertilizer from pig feces by-products could be key factors for reducing the prevalence of Blastocystis infection and prevent Blastocystis reinfection among people in the community. IMPORTANCEBlastocystis sp. remains a public health problem among people, particularly in rural areas of many developing countries. The infection usually reflects poor sanitation in communities by waterborne, zoonotic, and person-to-person transmission. In this study, we reported potential evidence of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis subtype 1 (ST1) in rural communities of eastern Thailand. Two major and three minor subtypes were found to be unequally distributed in this region. Interestingly, only ST1 was found to be associated with pig feces in an open farm system that produced organic fertilizer for agriculture uses in the community. The finding makes significant contributions to genetic and molecular investigations of microbial topics of practical value and suggest that properly protective contact and standard production of organic fertilizer from pig feces by-products could be key factors for reducing the prevalence of Blastocystis infection and prevent Blastocystis reinfection among people in the community.
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Karamati SA, Mirjalali H, Niyyati M, Yadegar A, Asadzadeh Aghdaei H, Haghighi A, Seyyed Tabaei SJ. Association of Blastocystis ST6 with higher protease activity among symptomatic subjects. BMC Microbiol 2021; 21:285. [PMID: 34666703 PMCID: PMC8524833 DOI: 10.1186/s12866-021-02341-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic intestinal protozoan parasite of humans and a wide range of animals worldwide. In the current study the correlation between the cysteine protease activity of clinical samples of Blastocystis sp. ST1-3 and 6 with the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines was evaluated. METHODS Stool samples were collected from subjects with or without clinical symptoms. All samples were cultivated in DMEM medium. The bacteria were eliminated or reduced in Blastocystis sp. positive samples subtypes 1-3 and 6 by a variety of antibiotics and consecutive sub-cultures. To prepare parasite lysate, 1 × 105 Blastocystis sp. from each isolate were harvested and lysed using freeze-thaw. Protease activity of each isolate was measured and the gene expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in HT-29 cell line sensed by isolates was investigated using quantitative Real-time PCR. RESULTS Protease activity assay showed inter- and intra-subtype variations among subtypes regarding the presence of symptoms, while the protease activity of symptomatic isolates was higher than asymptomatic isolates. The highest and lowest levels of protease activity were seen in ST6 and ST2, respectively. However, patterns of the expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers in HT-29 cell line was different regarding the presence of symptoms and time points. There was no significant correlation between protease activity of different subtypes with the expression levels of pro-inflammatory biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS Our study indicated a higher protease activity among isolates from symptomatic compared to asymptomatic subjects, suggesting functional role for proteases in clinical symptoms due to Blastocystis sp. The lack of correlation between the levels of expression of pro-inflammatory biomarkers with subtypes regarding the presence of clinical symptoms proposes the importance of host-related factors in presentation of clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Ahmad Karamati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed Mirjalali
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maryam Niyyati
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Abbas Yadegar
- Foodborne and Waterborne Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Asadzadeh Aghdaei
- Basic and Molecular Epidemiology of Gastrointestinal Disorders Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ali Haghighi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Seyyed Javad Seyyed Tabaei
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Abstract
The reduction of excessive weight remains a major public health challenge, with control currently limited to a calorie reduction strategy. Currently, attempts are being made at revisiting the fibre hypothesis based on the African studies of Denis Burkitt, that the lack of dietary fibre in the modern diet was responsible for the occurrence of obesity and many of the other non-communicable diseases of what he called “Western civilization”. However, the dilemma is that Burkitt himself stressed that other peoples of his day, such as the Maasai, remained healthy without consuming such high fibre diets. Equally, the present obesity epidemic is accompanied by diseases of a malfunctioning immune system and of poor mental health that do not seem to be adequately explained simply by a deficiency of dietary fibre. Though unknown in Burkitt’s day, an increasing degradation of a mutualistic intestinal microbiome would offer a better fit to the observed epidemiology, especially if the microbiome is not effectively passed on from mother to child at birth. Taking the broader view, in this article we posit a view of the microbiome as a cofactor of mammalian evolution, in which a maternal microbial inheritance complements the parental genetic inheritance of the animal, both engaging epigenetic processes. As this would require the microbiome to be fully integrated with the animal as it develops into an adult, so we have a meaningful evolutionary role for the microbiome–gut–brain axis. By a failure to correctly establish a microbiome–gut interface, the inhibition of maternal microbial inheritance sets the scene for the future development of non-communicable disease: compromised immune system function on the one hand and dysfunctional gut–brain communication on the other. The basic principle is that the fully functioning, diverse, microbiome achieves interkingdom communication by the generation of messenger chemicals, semiochemicals. It is envisaged that the in situ detection of these as yet ill-defined chemical entities by means of an ingestible sensor would indicate the severity of disease and provide a guide as to its amelioration.
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Rudzińska M, Kowalewska B, Waleron M, Kalicki M, Sikorska K, Szostakowska B. Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis from Animals and Their Caregivers at the Gdańsk Zoo (Poland) and the Assessment of Zoonotic Transmission. Biology (Basel) 2021; 10:biology10100984. [PMID: 34681082 PMCID: PMC8533498 DOI: 10.3390/biology10100984] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Revised: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a highly genetically diverse gut protist commonly found in humans and various animals. The role of animals in human infection is only partly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the host specificity and possibility of zoonotic transmission of this microorganism. Subtypes of Blastocystis isolated from 201 zoo animals and their 35 caregivers were identified by sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. Blastocystis was found in 26.86% of animal and 17.14% of human samples. Both mammalian (ST1-ST3, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, ST14) and non-mammalian subtypes were detected. Of the subtypes found in non-human primates (ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST13), two subtypes (ST1 and ST3) were also detected in humans. The presence of identical ST1 sequences in three monkeys and their caregiver indicates the possibility of direct transmission of Blastocystis between these animals and humans. Detection of ST5 only in wild boars and peccaries, ST8 only in Marsupial, ST10 and ST14 only in Bovidae, and non-mammalian subtypes in reptiles suggests higher host specificity for these subtypes, and indicates that their transmission between animals and humans is unlikely. Additionally, this was probably the first time that ST5 was found in peccaries, ST2 in patas monkeys, and ST8 in red kangaroos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rudzińska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-583-491-762
| | - Beata Kowalewska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Małgorzata Waleron
- Laboratory of Plant Protection and Biotechnology, Intercollegiate Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Gdańsk and Medical University of Gdańsk, Abrahama 58, 80-307 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Mirosław Kalicki
- Zoological Garden of Gdańsk, Karwieńska 3, 80-328 Gdańsk, Poland;
| | - Katarzyna Sikorska
- Department of Tropical Medicine and Epidemiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (B.K.); (K.S.)
| | - Beata Szostakowska
- Department of Tropical Parasitology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland;
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Higuera A, Herrera G, Jimenez P, García-Corredor D, Pulido-Medellín M, Bulla-Castañeda DM, Pinilla JC, Moreno-Pérez DA, Maloney JG, Santín M, Ramírez JD. Identification of Multiple Blastocystis Subtypes in Domestic Animals From Colombia Using Amplicon-Based Next Generation Sequencing. Front Vet Sci 2021; 8:732129. [PMID: 34504891 PMCID: PMC8421793 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2021.732129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is frequently reported in fecal samples from animals and humans worldwide, and a variety of subtypes (STs) have been observed in wild and domestic animals. In Colombia, few studies have focused on the transmission dynamics and epidemiological importance of Blastocystis in animals. In this study, we characterized the frequency and subtypes of Blastocystis in fecal samples of domestic animals including pigs, minipigs, cows, dogs, horses, goats, sheep, and llama from three departments of Colombia. Of the 118 fecal samples included in this study 81.4% (n = 96) were positive for Blastocystis using a PCR that amplifies a fragment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. PCR positive samples were sequenced by next generation amplicon sequencing (NGS) to determine subtypes. Eleven subtypes were detected, ten previously reported, ST5 (50.7%), ST10 (47.8%), ST25 (34.3%), ST26 (29.8%), ST21 (22.4%), ST23 (22.4%), ST1 (17.9%), ST14 (16.4%), ST24 (14.9%), ST3 (7.5%), and a novel subtype, named ST32 (3.0%). Mixed infection and/or intra -subtype variations were identified in most of the samples. Novel ST32 was observed in two samples from a goat and a cow. To support novel subtype designation, a MinION based sequencing strategy was used to generate the full-length of the SSU rRNA gene. Comparison of full-length nucleotide sequences with those from current valid subtypes supported the designation of ST32. This is the first study in Colombia using NGS to molecularly characterize subtypes of Blastocystis in farm animals. A great diversity of subtypes was observed in domestic animals including subtypes previously identified in humans. Additionally, subtype overlap between the different hosts examined in this study were observed. These findings highlight the presence of Blastocystis subtypes with zoonotic potential in farm animals indicating that farm animals could play a role in transmission to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Higuera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Giovanny Herrera
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Paula Jimenez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diego García-Corredor
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martin Pulido-Medellín
- Grupo de Investigación en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Diana M Bulla-Castañeda
- Grupo de Investigación en Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia, Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad Pedagógica y Tecnológica de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Juan Carlos Pinilla
- Grupo de Investigación en Ciencias Agropecuarias, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Naturales y Agropecuarias, Universidad de Santander, Bucaramanga, Colombia
| | | | - Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS), Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA-ARS), Beltsville, MD, United States
| | - Juan David Ramírez
- Centro de Investigaciones en Microbiología y Biotecnología-UR (CIMBIUR), Facultad de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia
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Abstract
Blastocystis is a common enteric protist that is linked to intestinal and extra-intestinal diseases. At least 24 subtypes (STs) have been described, with the main colonization of ST1-ST4 in humans. In our attempt to determine the distribution of Blastocystis STs in Olsztyn and surroundings in northeastern Poland, 319 stool samples from volunteers were subjected to copro-ELISA and PCR testing. Positive findings were identified in 77, 48, and 46 of the samples via copro-ELISA, PCR, and sequencing, respectively. Blastocystis colonization was not associated with gender or dwelling place but was statistically higher in people age 60-69 yr (32.6%). Five STs (ST1-ST4, ST7) were identified, in which ST3 (37%) was most prevalent, followed by ST2 (19.6%), ST1 (17.4%), ST4 (13%), and ST7 (8.7%). The current study revealed a similar rate of microorganism colonization in Polish volunteers compared to other developed countries, without significant differences in gender and dwelling place. Significant statistical differences were found in different age groups, where Blastocystis was highly detected in elderly people. In the current study, PCR was the most plausible method based on the sequencing results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Małgorzata Lepczyńska
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Ewa Dzika
- Department of Medical Biology, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - WenChieh Chen
- Department of Dermatology and Allergy, Technical University of Munich, Biedersteinerstrasse 29, D-80802, Munich, Germany
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Wilcox JJS, Lopez-Cotto JJ, Hollocher H. Historical contingency, geography and anthropogenic patterns of exposure drive the evolution of host switching in the Blastocystis species-complex. Parasitology 2021; 148:985-993. [PMID: 33775262 PMCID: PMC11010051 DOI: 10.1017/s003118202100055x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Parasites have the power to impose significant regulatory pressures on host populations, making evolutionary patterns of host switching by parasites salient to a range of contemporary ecological issues. However, relatively little is known about the colonization of new hosts by parasitic, commensal and mutualistic eukaryotes of metazoans. As ubiquitous symbionts of coelomate animals, Blastocystis spp. represent excellent candidate organisms for the study of evolutionary patterns of host switching by protists. Here, we apply a big-data phylogenetic approach using archival sequence data to assess the relative roles of several host-associated traits in shaping the evolutionary history of the Blastocystis species-complex within an ecological framework. Patterns of host usage were principally determined by geographic location and shared environments of hosts, suggesting that weight of exposure (i.e. propagule pressure) represents the primary force for colonization of new hosts within the Blastocystis species-complex. While Blastocystis lineages showed a propensity to recolonize the same host taxa, these taxa were often evolutionarily unrelated, suggesting that historical contingency and retention of previous adaptions by the parasite were more important to host switching than host phylogeny. Ultimately, our findings highlight the ability of ecological theory (i.e. ‘ecological fitting’) to explain host switching and host specificity within the Blastocystis species-complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justin J S Wilcox
- Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
- Center for Genomics and Systems Biology, New York University Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - John J Lopez-Cotto
- Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
| | - Hope Hollocher
- Department of Biological Sciences, Galvin Life Sciences, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, USA
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23
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Zapata-Valencia JI, Ortega-Valencia S, Silva-Cuero YK, Castillo-Castillo LS, Ortega-Ruíz LS, Cardona-Ortiz A, Peña-Stadlin J. Frequency of enteroparasites in Cebidae and Callitrichidae primates at the Zoológico de Cali, Colombia: zoonotic implications. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 41:60-81. [PMID: 34111341 DOI: 10.7705/biomedica.5403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Introducción. Los enteroparásitos pueden generar problemas en animales bajo cuidado humano en zoológicos y centros de acogida. Los animales silvestres presentan bajas cargas parasitarias, pero estas pueden ser mayores y llevar a manifestaciones clínicas cuando se trata de animales resguardados en recintos, lo que aumenta los gastos en tratamientos y cuidados médicos. Por otro lado, algunos enteroparásitos pueden causar infecciones zoonóticas en los cuidadores, los visitantes y otros animales del zoológico, así como afectar los programas de recuperación de especies amenazadas de extinción. Objetivos. Determinar la presencia y prevalencia de enteroparásitos con potencial de transmisión zoonótica en primates de las familias Cebidae y Callitrichidae del Zoológico de Cali, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017. Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal prospectivo, para lo cual se recolectaron muestras seriadas de 50 individuos pertenecientes a siete especies de dos familias de primates y se analizaron mediante examen coprológico, flotación y coloración Kinyoun, entre septiembre y noviembre de 2017. Resultados. Según su prevalencia, los géneros de parásitos hallados en las siete especies de primates evaluadas, fueron Blastocystis spp., Trichomonas spp., Giardia spp., Entamoeba spp., Strongyloides spp., Cyclospora sp. y Trichuris sp. Conclusiones. Por lo menos, seis de los géneros de parásitos identificados tienen implicaciones zoonóticas, lo cual hace necesario establecer las posibles vías de infección de los primates del Zoológico de Cali e implementar protocolos de manejo que reduzcan el riesgo de transmisión a los humanos y a otros animales de la colección. Además, se presenta la información relevante sobre el potencial zoonótico de los enteroparásitos hallados.
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Shams M, Shamsi L, Sadrebazzaz A, Asghari A, Badali R, Omidian M, Hassanipour S. A systematic review and meta-analysis on the global prevalence and subtypes distribution of Blastocystis sp. infection in cattle: A zoonotic concern. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2021; 76:101650. [PMID: 33930630 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2021.101650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystosis is an interesting parasitosis, since the parasitic infection is still seriously neglected and a considerable zoonotic evidence is emerging. Blastocystis sp. infects the intestinal lumen of humans and a wide range of animals, while there is a lack of comprehensive information on Blastocystis epidemiology in cattle worldwide. Thus, the present systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by exploring four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google scholar) for relevant published papers up to 7th November 2020, utilizing a random-effects model to pool estimations and assign 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). Results of 28 studies (29 datasets) on cattle showed a 24.4 % (95 % CI: 16.9-33.9 %) prevalence for Blastocystis infection. Also, 16 out of 26 reported subtypes (STs) were isolated from cattle, with ST10 (18 datasets) as the highest-reported [32.3 % (95 % CI: 21.6-45.3)] as well as ST24 and ST25 (one study each) as the lowest-reported STs [1.4 % (95 % CI: 0.2-9.1)]. Additionally, among nine well-known zoonotic STs (ST1-ST8 and ST12), all STs except for ST8 were reported from cattle worldwide, demonstrating this animal species as a potential reservoir for human infections. Meanwhile, the overall prevalence of Blastocystis in various subgroups (publication year, WHO regions, countries, continents, and age groups) was analyzed separately. The finding of the present review article highlights the cattle as a significant source of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis infection to humans, which must be considered for preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morteza Shams
- Zoonotic Diseases Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Laya Shamsi
- Department of Pathobiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran.
| | - Alireza Sadrebazzaz
- Razi Vaccine & Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization, Mashhad, Iran.
| | - Ali Asghari
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Roya Badali
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Mostafa Omidian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Soheil Hassanipour
- Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
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25
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Sulżyc-Bielicka V, Kołodziejczyk L, Adamska M, Skotarczak B, Jaczewska S, Safranow K, Bielicki P, Kładny J, Bielicki D. Colorectal cancer and Blastocystis sp. infection. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:200. [PMID: 33853659 PMCID: PMC8048192 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04681-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 03/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protozoan found worldwide. Based on gene analysis, 17 subtypes (STs, ST1-ST17) have been identified, 9 of which have been isolated from humans. Differences in clinical consequences may depend on differences among the STs. Here, we evaluated the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to a control group and assessed the relationships between Blastocystis sp. infection and sex; age; and CRC grade, stage, and location. METHODS The study included 107 CRC patients (41 women and 66 men, median age 65 years); 124 subjects without colorectal cancer or a history of oncological disease comprised the control group (55 women and 69 men, median age 63). Stool samples were collected from patients before oncological treatment and examined using light microscopy (iodine-stained smear). Additionally, PCR-based identification of Blastocystis sp. was performed in 95 stool samples from CRC patients and 76 stool samples from the control group. RESULTS Light microscopy showed that the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was significantly higher in CRC patients than in the control group (12.15% and 2.42%, respectively; p = 0.0041). Multivariate analysis showed that the odds of Blastocystis sp. infection were fivefold higher in the CRC group than in the control group. PCR-based molecular examinations demonstrated that the proportion of patients infected with Blastocystis sp. was significantly higher in the CRC group than in the control group (12.63% and 2.63%, respectively; p = 0.023). The predominant ST in the CRC group was ST3, detected in nine patients (75%), followed by ST1 (2 patients, 16.7%) and ST2 (1 patient, 8.3%). No association was found between Blastocystis sp. infection and age, sex, or CRC stage, grade, or location. CONCLUSIONS The results showed that CRC was associated with an increased risk of opportunistic Blastocystis sp. infection, even before oncological treatment. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report estimating the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection in CRC patients before oncological treatment in Europe.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lidia Kołodziejczyk
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | | | | | - Sylwia Jaczewska
- Early Phase Clinical Trial Unit. Maria Sklodowska-Curie Memorial Cancer Centre-Institute of Oncology, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Safranow
- Department of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Paweł Bielicki
- Department of Radiotherapy, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Józef Kładny
- Department of Oncological Surgery, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
| | - Dariusz Bielicki
- Department of Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
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26
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Süli T, Kozoderović G, Potkonjak A, Vidanović D, Tešović B, Vračar V, Miladinović Tasić N, Stensvold CR, Lalošević V. Subtyping Blastocystis in pigs and humans revealed unusual avian-specific subtype ST6 in humans in Serbia. Zoonoses Public Health 2021; 68:544-548. [PMID: 33822468 DOI: 10.1111/zph.12829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 02/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/13/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a common protist colonizing the gastrointestinal tract of humans and various animals. The first subtyping of Blastocystis isolates in pigs and humans in Serbia revealed unusual avian-specific subtype ST6 in humans. In total, 48 pig faecal specimens collected on seven pig farms and 50 human faecal specimens positive to Blastocystis by microscopic examination were selected for the study. Eleven randomly selected PCR-positive pig samples and 10 samples from human patients (with gastrointestinal complaints) were subjected to SSU rDNA sequencing. Three subtypes were identified (ST3, ST5 and ST6) by phylogenetic analysis. ST5 was found in all pig samples; while in human samples, we detected ST3 and ST6. The latter subtype is relatively uncommon in Europe and highly adapted to avian hosts; therefore, the possibility of sporadic zoonotic transmission to human patients should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamás Süli
- Prophyl Animal Health Ltd., Mohács, Hungary
| | | | - Aleksandar Potkonjak
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | - Dejan Vidanović
- Veterinary Specialist Institute "Kraljevo", Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Bojana Tešović
- Veterinary Specialist Institute "Kraljevo", Kraljevo, Serbia
| | - Vuk Vračar
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
| | | | | | - Vesna Lalošević
- Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
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Marangi M, Airoldi S, Beneduce L, Zaccone C. Wild whale faecal samples as a proxy of anthropogenic impact. Sci Rep 2021; 11:5822. [PMID: 33712645 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-84966-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The occurrence of protozoan parasite, bacterial communities, organic pollutants and heavy metals was investigated in free-ranging species of fin (Balaenoptera physalus, n. 2) and sperm (Physeter macrocephalus, n. 2) whales from the Pelagos Sanctuary, Corsican-Ligurian Provencal Basin (Northern-Western Mediterranean Sea). Out of four faecal samples investigated, two from fin whales and one from sperm whale were found positive to Blastocystis sp. A higher number of sequences related to Synergistetes and Spirochaetae were found in sperm whales if compared with fin whales. Moreover, As, Co and Hg were found exclusively in sperm whale faecal samples, while Pb was found only in fin whale faecal samples. The concentration of both PAH and PCB was always below the limit of detection. This is the first report in which the presence of these opportunistic pathogens, bacteria and chemical pollutants have been investigated in faecal samples of free-ranging whale species and the first record of Blastocystis in fin and sperm whales. Thus, this study may provide baseline data on new anthropozoonotic parasite, bacterial records and heavy metals in free-ranging fin and sperm whales, probably as a result of an increasing anthropogenic activity. This survey calls for more integrated research to perform regular monitoring programs supported by national and/or international authorities responsible for preservation of these still vulnerable and threatened whale species in the Mediterranean Sea.
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28
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Khaled S, Gantois N, Ayoubi A, Even G, Sawant M, El Houmayraa J, Nabot M, Benamrouz-Vanneste S, Chabé M, Certad G, El Safadi D, Dabboussi F, Hamze M, Viscogliosi E. Blastocystis sp. Prevalence and Subtypes Distribution amongst Syrian Refugee Communities Living in North Lebanon. Microorganisms 2021; 9:184. [PMID: 33467077 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9010184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular data concerning the prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of the intestinal parasite Blastocystis sp. remain scarce in the Middle East. Accordingly, we performed the first molecular epidemiological survey ever conducted in the Syrian population. A total of 306 stool samples were collected from Syrian refugees living in 26 informal tented settlements (ITS) subjected or not to water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions in North Lebanon, then screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by real-time polymerase chain reaction followed by subtyping. The overall prevalence of the parasite was shown to reach 63.7%. Blastocystis sp. colonization was not significantly associated with gender, age, symptomatic status, abdominal pain or diarrhea. In contrast, WASH intervention status of ITS was identified as a risk factor for infection. Among a total of 164 subtyped isolates, ST3 was predominant, followed by ST1, ST2, and ST10. No particular ST was reported to be associated with age, gender, symptomatic status, digestive disorders, or WASH intervention status of ITS. Intra-ST diversity of ST1 to ST3 was low suggesting large-scale anthroponotic transmission. Moreover, comparative analysis of ST1 to ST3 genotypes revealed that the circulation of the parasite between Syrian refugees and the host population was likely limited.
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29
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Deng L, Yao J, Chen S, He T, Chai Y, Zhou Z, Shi X, Liu H, Zhong Z, Fu H, Peng G. First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in southwestern China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:11. [PMID: 33407818 PMCID: PMC7788908 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04515-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 12/01/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic protozoan that parasitizes many animal hosts and the human gastrointestinal tract, and its pathogenicity is controversial. Captive wildlife may be potential reservoirs for human infection with Blastocystis sp. The present study was performed to investigate the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. in zoo animals in Sichuan Province, southwestern China. METHODS A total of 420 fresh fecal samples were collected from 54 captive wildlife species in four zoos in southwestern China between June 2017 and September 2019. The prevalence and subtype (ST) genetic characteristics of Blastocystis sp. were determined by PCR amplification of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene and phylogenetic analysis. RESULTS Overall, 15.7% (66/420) of the animal samples and 20.7% (14/54) of the species tested were shown to be infected with Blastocystis sp. The highest prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was found in Panzhihua Zoo (24.3%), which was significantly higher than that in Chengdu Zoo (6.9%), and Xichang Zoo (2.9%) (P < 0.05). There are also significant differences in the prevalence of Blastocystis sp. among different species (P < 0.05), and the highest of Blastocystis sp. prevalence was observed in white-cheeked gibbon, black great squirrel, and red giant flying squirrel (100%). Subtype analysis of Blastocystis sp. revealed nine subtypes, including six zoonotic STs (ST1-5, and ST8) and three animal-specific STs (ST10, ST14, and ST17), with ST17 as the predominant subtype (26/66) in Blastocystis sp.-positive isolates. CONCLUSIONS To our knowledge, this is the first report on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. among captive wildlife in zoos in southwestern China. This study highlights that these animals may serve as reservoirs for human Blastocystis sp. infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Jingxin Yao
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Shanyu Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Tingmei He
- Sichuan Wolong National Natural Reserve Administration, Aba, 623006 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Yijun Chai
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Ziyao Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiaogang Shi
- Sichuan Wolong National Natural Reserve Administration, Aba, 623006 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Hualin Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, 611130 Sichuan People’s Republic of China
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30
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Popruk N, Prasongwattana S, Mahittikorn A, Palasuwan A, Popruk S, Palasuwan D. Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Infection in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2020; 17:ijerph17238877. [PMID: 33260351 PMCID: PMC7730192 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17238877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 11/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global public health problem with an increasing prevalence. DM increases the risk of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. We examined the prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors of Blastocystis infection in patients with and without DM in central Thailand. Stool samples and questionnaires were obtained from 130 people in the DM group and 100 people in the non-DM group. Blastocystis infection was identified via a nested polymerase chain reaction and subtyped via sequencing of the partial small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Analysis of potential risk factors was conducted via binary logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 10.8%, including rates of 9% and 12.3% in the non-DM and DM groups, respectively. The most prevalent subtype was ST3, followed by ST1, and ST4. Factors that potentially increased the risk of Blastocystis infection include patients being >65 years old, the presence of DM, a DM duration of ≥10 years, a low level of education, and animal ownership. In conclusion, this is the first study of Blastocystis infection in DM, and a high prevalence was found among this population. Therefore, health education promoting sanitation and hygiene is necessary to reduce and prevent infection in the community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noppon Popruk
- Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Satakamol Prasongwattana
- Department of Nursing, Bang Pa-in Hospital, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13160, Thailand;
| | - Aongart Mahittikorn
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
| | - Attakorn Palasuwan
- Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
| | - Supaluk Popruk
- Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand;
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (D.P.); Tel.: +662-3549-100 (S.P.); +662-2181-541 (D.P.)
| | - Duangdao Palasuwan
- Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand;
- Correspondence: (S.P.); (D.P.); Tel.: +662-3549-100 (S.P.); +662-2181-541 (D.P.)
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Maloney JG, Molokin A, Santin M. Use of Oxford Nanopore MinION to generate full-length sequences of the Blastocystis small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:595. [PMID: 33239096 PMCID: PMC7687777 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04484-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common enteric parasites of humans and animals worldwide. It is well recognized that this ubiquitous protist displays a remarkable degree of genetic diversity in the SSU rRNA gene, which is currently the main gene used for defining Blastocystis subtypes. Yet, full-length reference sequences of this gene are available for only 16 subtypes of Blastocystis in part because of the technical difficulties associated with obtaining these sequences from complex samples. Methods We have developed a method using Oxford Nanopore MinION long-read sequencing and universal eukaryotic primers to produce full-length (> 1800 bp) SSU rRNA gene sequences for Blastocystis. Seven Blastocystis specimens representing five subtypes (ST1, ST4, ST10, ST11, and ST14) obtained both from cultures and feces were used for validation. Results We demonstrate that this method can be used to produce highly accurate full-length sequences from both cultured and fecal DNA isolates. Full-length sequences were successfully obtained from all five subtypes including ST11 for which no full-length reference sequence currently exists and for an isolate that contained mixed ST10/ST14. Conclusions The suitability of the use of MinION long-read sequencing technology to successfully generate full-length Blastocystis SSU rRNA gene sequences was demonstrated. The ability to produce full-length SSU rRNA gene sequences is key in understanding the role of genetic diversity in important aspects of Blastocystis biology such as transmission, host specificity, and pathogenicity.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Aleksey Molokin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Monica Santin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA.
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Lhotská Z, Jirků M, Hložková O, Brožová K, Jirsová D, Stensvold CR, Kolísko M, Jirků Pomajbíková K. A Study on the Prevalence and Subtype Diversity of the Intestinal Protist Blastocystis sp. in a Gut-Healthy Human Population in the Czech Republic. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2020; 10:544335. [PMID: 33123491 PMCID: PMC7573152 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2020.544335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist colonizing the human intestine the prevalence of which varies across non-industrialized and industrialized countries. Its role in the human gut ecosystem remains unclear due to persisting gaps in knowledge of epidemiology and factors affecting gut colonization. Here, we aimed to expand the knowledge of the epidemiology of Blastocystis sp. in the gut-healthy humans in one of the industrialized European countries, including the distribution of its subtypes, the correlation between its occurrence and several factors such as lifestyle, contact with animals, age, and sex. A total of 288 stool samples were obtained from asymptomatic individuals over the entire age-range and 136 samples from animals with which the volunteers were in frequent contact. All samples were examined in parallel by PCR and xenic in vitro culture. Blastocystis sp. was detected in samples from both human and non-human hosts. In humans, the overall prevalence was 24% and eight subtypes were found; in animals, the prevalence was 10%, and only five subtypes were detected. A higher incidence of Blastocystis sp. was observed in individuals (i) traveling outside Europe, (ii) in frequent contact with livestock, and (iii) over 50 years of age. We found no effect on gender on Blastocystis sp. colonization. Summary This study provides data on the prevalence and diversity of the gut protist Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes in a gut-healthy human population with emphasis on several factors such as contact with animals, lifestyle, age, and gender.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzana Lhotská
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Milan Jirků
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Oldřiška Hložková
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Kristýna Brožová
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Dagmar Jirsová
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | | | - Martin Kolísko
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
| | - Kateřina Jirků Pomajbíková
- Biology Center, Institute of Parasitology, The Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czechia.,Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czechia
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Hublin JSY, Maloney JG, Santin M. Blastocystis in domesticated and wild mammals and birds. Res Vet Sci 2020; 135:260-282. [PMID: 33046256 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.09.031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 69] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a ubiquitous parasite that infects a broad range of vertebrate hosts including humans and domestic and wild animals. While human infections have been occasionally associated with gastrointestinal illnesses and/or urticaria, animal infections are not usually associated with disease. However, from a public health perspective, most subtypes isolated in humans have also been isolated from animals raising the question of the importance of animal reservoirs in the epidemiology of this parasite. The identification of Blastocystis in water supplies suggests water can be a potential vehicle in the transmission of this parasite not only for humans but also for animals. In addition, Blastocystis has been detected in retail fresh produce. Knowledge of this parasite has greatly expanded in the last two decades from simple microscopic observations to the application of molecular tools to explore Blastocystis taxonomy and epidemiology. This review provides a comprehensive overview of Blastocystis in animals highlighting the subtype diversity of this widespread and genetically diverse parasite in different animal groups. This information will be useful in understanding the current status of taxonomy, epidemiology, zoonotic potential, and public health importance of Blastocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josephine S Y Hublin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
| | - Jenny G Maloney
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States
| | - Monica Santin
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Ave, Beltsville, MD 20705, United States.
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Hawash YA, Ismail KA, Saber T, Eed EM, Khalifa AS, Alsharif KF, Alghamdi SA, Dahlawi HA, Alsanie W, Khalifa AM, Khalifa OM. Predominance of Infection With Blastocystis hominis in Patients With Colorectal Cancer and Its Association With High Mucin Content, Infiltration of Inflammatory Cells and Elevated Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor α. Infect Dis Clin Pract 2021; 29:e32-8. [DOI: 10.1097/ipc.0000000000000931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
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Braymer JJ, Freibert SA, Rakwalska-Bange M, Lill R. Mechanistic concepts of iron-sulfur protein biogenesis in Biology. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Cell Res 2020; 1868:118863. [PMID: 33007329 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbamcr.2020.118863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Iron-sulfur (Fe/S) proteins are present in virtually all living organisms and are involved in numerous cellular processes such as respiration, photosynthesis, metabolic reactions, nitrogen fixation, radical biochemistry, protein synthesis, antiviral defense, and genome maintenance. Their versatile functions may go back to the proposed role of their Fe/S cofactors in the origin of life as efficient catalysts and electron carriers. More than two decades ago, it was discovered that the in vivo synthesis of cellular Fe/S clusters and their integration into polypeptide chains requires assistance by complex proteinaceous machineries, despite the fact that Fe/S proteins can be assembled chemically in vitro. In prokaryotes, three Fe/S protein biogenesis systems are known; ISC, SUF, and the more specialized NIF. The former two systems have been transferred by endosymbiosis from bacteria to mitochondria and plastids, respectively, of eukaryotes. In their cytosol, eukaryotes use the CIA machinery for the biogenesis of cytosolic and nuclear Fe/S proteins. Despite the structural diversity of the protein constituents of these four machineries, general mechanistic concepts underlie the complex process of Fe/S protein biogenesis. This review provides a comprehensive and comparative overview of the various known biogenesis systems in Biology, and summarizes their common or diverging molecular mechanisms, thereby illustrating both the conservation and diverse adaptions of these four machineries during evolution and under different lifestyles. Knowledge of these fundamental biochemical pathways is not only of basic scientific interest, but is important for the understanding of human 'Fe/S diseases' and can be used in biotechnology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Braymer
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | - Sven A Freibert
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany
| | | | - Roland Lill
- Institut für Zytobiologie, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 6, 35032 Marburg, Germany; SYNMIKRO Center for Synthetic Microbiology, Philipps-Universität Marburg, Hans-Meerwein-Strasse, 35043 Marburg, Germany.
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Rauff-Adedotun AA, Mohd Zain SN, Farah Haziqah MT. Current status of Blastocystis sp. in animals from Southeast Asia: a review. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:3559-70. [PMID: 32951145 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-020-06828-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is the most frequently observed eukaryotic gastrointestinal symbiont in humans and animals. Its low host specificity and zoonotic potential suggest that animals might serve as possible reservoirs for transmission. The prevalence and subtype distributions of Blastocystis sp. in animal populations in Southeast Asia, a hotspot for zoonotic diseases, are reviewed. Recommendations for future research aimed at understanding the zoonotic role of Blastocystis are also included. Seven countries have, so far, reported Blastocystis infection in various animals, such as livestock, poultry, companion animals, and non-human primates. Pigs were the most studied animals, and there were records of 100% prevalence in pigs, cattle, and ostriches. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based approaches, twelve Blastocystis sp. subtypes (STs), namely ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST8, ST9, ST10, ST12, and ST14 have been recognised infecting animals of Southeast Asia. ST1 and ST5 were the most frequently identified, and Malaysia observed the most diverse distribution of subtypes. Further investigations on Blastocystis sp. in various animal hosts, using adequate sample sizes and uniform detection methods, are essential for a better understanding of the distribution of this organism. Detailed genome studies, especially on STs shared by humans and animals, are also recommended.
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Russini V, Di Filippo MM, Fanelli R, Polidori M, Berrilli F, Di Cave D, Novelletto A, Calderini P. Characterization of prevalence and genetic subtypes of Blastocystis sp. in wild and domestic Suidae of central Italy aided by amplicon NGS. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020; 22:100472. [PMID: 33308752 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2020.100472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis spp. is a common single-celled intestinal symbiont, comprising several genetic subtypes (ST) and transmissible by animal-to-animal, human-to-human, animal-to-human and, possibly, human-to-animal routes. This work was designed to explore the presence of Blastocystis in sympatric domestic and wild suids and their ability to carry zoonotic STs, in a condition of widespread opportunity to come in contact with the microorganism through their shared water and food resources, and other carriers. We sampled 42 and 37 stool samples from wild boars and domestic pigs, respectively. STs were first identified by PCR followed by Sanger sequencing. Sequences represented in double-band PCR products or in Sanger chromatograms displaying multiple peaks, were resolved by next generation sequencing (NGS). Twenty-six (61.9%) wild boar and 26 (70.2%) pig samples were PCR-positive, respectively. ST3, ST5 and ST15 were found in 3.8%, 38.4% and 80.8% of the positive wild boars and 11.5%, 88.5%, 11.5% of the positive pigs, respectively. ST1 was found only in pigs (3.8%). STs 5 and 15 were common in both groups of animals, but in reversed proportions, suggesting preferential colonization. We found significantly different ST distributions among wild boars and domestic pigs. This might indicate that lifestyle differences between the two populations influence their risk for contracting certain subtypes, or that ST5 and ST15 can colonize preferentially wild or domestic animals. Based on the STs described here, wild boars and domestic pigs can act as reservoirs with zoonotic potential. The ability of suids to carry zoonotic STs appears to be higher when using NGS than Sanger sequencing, and resolution of complex sequencing profiles is imperative before excluding the presence of STs of human concern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Russini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, sezione di Rieti, Italy
| | | | - Rita Fanelli
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, sezione di Rieti, Italy
| | - Miriam Polidori
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, sezione di Rieti, Italy
| | - Federica Berrilli
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | - David Di Cave
- Department of Clinical Sciences and Translational Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Pietro Calderini
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale di Lazio e Toscana, sezione di Rieti, Italy
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Khaled S, Gantois N, Ly AT, Senghor S, Even G, Dautel E, Dejager R, Sawant M, Baydoun M, Benamrouz-Vanneste S, Chabé M, Ndiaye S, Schacht AM, Certad G, Riveau G, Viscogliosi E. Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis sp. in Senegalese School Children. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8091408. [PMID: 32932661 PMCID: PMC7564003 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8091408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2020] [Revised: 09/07/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is an enteric protozoan that frequently colonizes humans and many animals. Despite impacting on human health, data on the prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis sp. remain sparse in Africa. Accordingly, we performed the first multicenter and largest epidemiological survey ever conducted on Blastocystis sp. for this continent. A total of 731 stool samples collected from healthy school children living in 10 villages of the northwestern region of Senegal were tested for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by real-time polymerase chain reaction followed by subtyping of positive samples. Considerable variation in prevalence between villages (51.7 to 100%) was evident with the overall prevalence being 80.4%. Mixed infections were identified in 23% of positive individuals. Among 453 school children with a single infection, ST2 was predominant, followed by ST1, ST3, ST7, ST10, and ST14; this is the first report of ST10 and ST14 in humans. Genetic polymorphisms were evident at the intra-ST level with the identification of numerous ST1 to ST3 genotypes. ST1 showed the greatest intra-ST diversity followed by ST2 and ST3. The prevalence and distribution of STs and genotypes varied among target villages, pointing to several potential infection sources, including human-to-human, zoonotic, and waterborne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salma Khaled
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Nausicaa Gantois
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Amadou Tidjani Ly
- Biomedical Research Center Espoir Pour La Santé (BRC-EPLS), BP 226 Saint-Louis, Senegal; (A.T.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Simon Senghor
- Biomedical Research Center Espoir Pour La Santé (BRC-EPLS), BP 226 Saint-Louis, Senegal; (A.T.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Gaël Even
- Gènes Diffusion, F-59501 Douai, France;
- PEGASE-Biosciences (Plateforme d’Expertises Génomiques Appliquées aux Sciences Expérimentales), Institut Pasteur de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Ellena Dautel
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Romane Dejager
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Manasi Sawant
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Martha Baydoun
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Sadia Benamrouz-Vanneste
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biodiversité, Institut Catholique de Lille, Faculté de Gestion Economie et Sciences, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Magali Chabé
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
| | - Seynabou Ndiaye
- Région Médicale de Saint-Louis, MSAS, BP 226 Saint-Louis, Senegal;
| | - Anne-Marie Schacht
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
- Biomedical Research Center Espoir Pour La Santé (BRC-EPLS), BP 226 Saint-Louis, Senegal; (A.T.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Gabriela Certad
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
- Délégation à la Recherche Clinique et à l’Innovation, Groupement des Hôpitaux de l’Institut Catholique de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Gilles Riveau
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
- Biomedical Research Center Espoir Pour La Santé (BRC-EPLS), BP 226 Saint-Louis, Senegal; (A.T.L.); (S.S.)
| | - Eric Viscogliosi
- Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019–UMR 9017–CIIL–Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, University of Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (S.K.); (N.G.); (E.D.); (R.D.); (M.S.); (M.B.); (S.B.-V.); (M.C.); (A.-M.S.); (G.C.); (G.R.)
- Correspondence:
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Delshad A, Saraei M, Alizadeh SA, Niaraki SR, Alipour M, Hosseinbigi B, Bozorgomid A, Hajialilo E. Distribution and molecular analysis of Blastocystis subtypes from gastrointestinal symptomatic and asymptomatic patients in Iran. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:1179-1189. [PMID: 33402964 PMCID: PMC7751524 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i3.21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite of human and animal hosts. The parasite has 17 subtypes, and among those at least nine subtypes (ST1-ST9) are found in human hosts. OBJECTIVE The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence of different subtypes of Blastocystis spp. among the patients referred to Velayat hospital of Qazvin province, Iran. METHODS Overall, 864 stool samples were examined by using formalin-ethyl acetate concentration method and Trichrome staining. All specimens were cultured in clotted fetal bovine medium. Later, DNA extraction and PCR amplification of 18S ribosomal RNA gene region was conducted and phylogenetic tree constructed. RESULTS The results revealed 7.9% (68/864) of the study population were infected with Blastocystis. Intestinal symptoms were observed in 61% (36/59) of individuals positive for Blastocystis, with abdominal pain in 58% (21/36) of cases which was more frequent than other intestinal signs. No significant relationship was observed among the study variables. By molecular and phylogenetic analysis, three subtypes ST1 (45%), ST2 (30%) and ST3 (23%) of parasite were identified. CONCLUSION This study showed ST1 subtype was the predominant subtype among the positive specimens, meanwhile the highest haplotype and nucleotide diversity were clarified in ST3 subtype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asma Delshad
- Student Research Committee, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Mehrzad Saraei
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non- Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Safar Ali Alizadeh
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Microbiology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | | | - Mahmood Alipour
- Department of Social Medicine, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Bahram Hosseinbigi
- Medical Microbiology Research Center, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
| | - Arezoo Bozorgomid
- Infectious Diseases Research Center, Health Institute, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah, Iran
| | - Elham Hajialilo
- Cellular and Molecular Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non- Communicable Disease, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran
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Sharifi Y, Abbasi F, Shahabi S, Zaraei A, Mikaeili F, Sarkari B. Comparative genotyping of Blastocystis infecting cattle and human in the south of Iran. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2020; 72:101529. [PMID: 32795717 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2020.101529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2020] [Revised: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis is a unicellular protozoan and one of the most common parasites found in humans and many animals' intestinal tract. The present study aimed to compare the genotypes of Blastocystis infecting cattle and humans in the south of Iran. METHODS A total of 100 human stool samples and 75 cattle stool samples were microscopically examined for Blastocystis infection. DNA was extracted from thirty-eight microscopically positive samples (13 humans and 25 cattle). PCR was performed on positive samples targeting the Blastocystis-specific SSU rDNA gene. PCR products of eight humans and eleven cattle samples were sequenced and compared with available reference sequences in GenBank by BLAST queries. Genetic diversity was measured for Blastocystis subtypes in human and cattle, based on haplotype and nucleotide diversities. RESULTS The PCR detected Blastocystis in ten humans and twenty-four cattle samples. Blastocystis subtypes 1, 2, and 6 were found in humans whereas subtypes 5 and 10 were found in cattle. Subtype (ST) 2 was the most predominant subtypes in humans whereas, in cattle specimens, the ST5 was the most dominant subtype. Based on the Blastocystis sequences of SSU rDNA, 68 sites were polymorphic and 49 sites were parsimony informative, resulting in the identification of 15 haplotypes, 10 haplotypes in the cattle and 5 in humans. No haplotype was shared between cattle and human parasites. CONCLUSION Human-derived Blastocystis subtypes were different from cattle subtypes in southern Iran. Nevertheless, subtype 5 in cattle can be a risk factor for human infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yosef Sharifi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Ferdos Abbasi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Saeed Shahabi
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Afshin Zaraei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Fattaneh Mikaeili
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Bahador Sarkari
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Basic Sciences in Infectious Diseases Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
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Mohammadpour I, Bozorg-Ghalati F, Gazzonis AL, Manfredi MT, Motazedian MH, Mohammadpour N. First molecular subtyping and phylogeny of Blastocystis sp. isolated from domestic and synanthropic animals (dogs, cats and brown rats) in southern Iran. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:365. [PMID: 32698882 PMCID: PMC7374852 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04225-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal protist that infects humans and many animals globally. Thus far, 22 subtypes (STs) have been identified in mammalian and avian hosts. Since various STs are common to humans and animals, it was suggested that some human infections might arise from zoonotic transmission. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the presence of Blastocystis sp. in domestic (dogs and cats) and synanthropic animals (rats) of Fars Province, Iran, and to genetically characterize the samples. METHODS A total of 400 fresh faecal samples from 154 dogs, 119 cats, and 127 rats were inspected by direct microscopy, Wheatley's trichrome staining, in vitro culture, and 18S rRNA gene nested-PCR. Finally, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed. RESULTS Out of 400 samples, 47 (11.8%) and 61 (15.3%) samples were detected as positive by direct wet mount and culture, respectively. Molecular analysis detected a larger number of positive samples (n = 70, 17.5%): nested-PCR showed that 29 (18.8%) dogs, 21 (17.7%) cats, and 20 (15.8%) rats were infected by Blastocystis sp. Sequence analysis of positive samples indicated the presence of zoonotic STs in all investigated host species. Specifically, ST2 (allele 9), ST3 (allele 34), ST4 (allele 94), ST7 (allele 99), ST8 (allele 21), and ST10 (allele 152) were detected in dogs; ST1 (allele 2), ST3 (allele 34), ST4 (allele 94), ST10 (allele 152), and ST14 (allele 159) were detected in cats; and ST1 (allele 2), ST3 (allele 34), and ST4 (allele 92) were detected in rats. CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that domestic dogs and cats can serve as possible reservoirs for in-contact humans, especially those who handle shelter-resident and client-owned animals. Moreover, rats as synanthropic animals can function as a potential source of human infections. Conversely, humans can act as a source of infections to animals. These results should be reinforced in future molecular epidemiological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iraj Mohammadpour
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Farzaneh Bozorg-Ghalati
- Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Advanced Medical Sciences and Technologies, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohammad Hossein Motazedian
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Niloofar Mohammadpour
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Zeinab Hospital, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
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Légeret C, Rüttimann C, Furlano RI, Ruf T, Poppert S, Fankhauser H, Köhler H. Blastocystis in Swiss children: a practical approach. Eur J Pediatr 2020; 179:979-84. [PMID: 32020333 DOI: 10.1007/s00431-020-03599-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a parasite with a worldwide distribution and a varying prevalence in different countries. The pleomorphic nature of the protozoon and the lack of understanding a possible pathogenesis have led to confusion regarding its clinical significance. The aim of the study was to shed light on clinical characteristics of pediatric patients in Swiss children with a positive stool sample for Blastocystis, in order to provide recommendations for a practical approach for the clinician to know whom, when, and how to test. This is a retrospective study of pediatric patients, whose stool has been tested positive for Blastocystis in the last 10 years in northern Switzerland. A total of 4047 stool samples, belonging to 1887 different patients, were analyzed; 240 stool samples (of 160 patients) were tested positive for Blastocystis. On average, 2.2 (CI 1.98-2.35) stool samples per patient were analyzed, of which 1.48 (CI 1.36-1.61) were positive for Blastocystis. In 63% abdominal pain was the leading symptom, while in 17.5% it was an accidental finding without symptoms. There was a high significance in correlation of abdominal pain and chronicity (p < 0.0001) but none in diarrhea (p = 0.082) nor nausea/vomiting or other symptoms and chronicity. Followed by Entamoeba coli (8%), 26.3% of the patients with Blastocystis had a co-infection with another parasite, mostly Endolimax nana (13%).Conclusion: Carriage of Blastocystis is common; therefore, only children/teenagers at risk for a symptomatic Blastocystis infection should be tested. There is a good correlation between Blastocystis and chronic abdominal pain. Children with abdominal symptoms persisting over 4 weeks should have two different stool samples analyzed. No screening after travels/immigration is recommended.What is Known:• Blastocystis has a worldwide distribution.• The clinical significance is unclear.What is New:• Based on retrospective data, we recommend to only test children/teenagers with chronic abdominal pain for Blastocystis.• Two different stool samples should be examined by microscopy; serological investigations are not warranted.
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Perea M, Vásquez V, Pineda V, Samudio F, Calzada J, Saldaña A. Prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. infecting children from a rural community in Panama. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2020; 9:e00139. [PMID: 32025581 PMCID: PMC6997612 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a commonly reported intestinal parasite with a worldwide distribution. Phylogenetic analyses describe at least 17 subtypes for this parasite, and nine of them have been found in humans. However, the prevalence and some epidemiological characteristics of this parasitic infection in rural communities are not well known. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence, subtypes, and epidemiological factors related to Blastocystis sp. Infection in children from of a small rural community in the central area of Panama. For this, 66 fecal samples from children (1 to 12 years old), were initially analyzed for the presence of parasites by a formalin-ethyl acetate/concentration method. Molecular detection and identification of Blastocystis sp. subtypes were carried out by amplification and sequencing of a partial fragment of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Using data from a questionnaire, analyses of epidemiological conditions potentially associated with Blastocystis sp. transmission were also conducted. Microscopic diagnostics showed that 33.3% (22/66) of the analyzed samples presented entero-parasites. Among them, Blastocystis sp. was the most prevalent, with 21.2% (14/66), followed by the E. histolytica/dispar/moshkovskii complex 4.5% (3/66), Giardia lamblia 1.5% (1/66) and Strongyloides stercoralis 1.5% (1/66). PCR-based analyses detected a prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection of 74.2% (49/66) in apparently healthy children. Phylogenetic analysis revealed two different subtypes of this parasite: ST1 with 42.2% (28/66) infected, and ST3 with 31.8% (21/66) infected. In addition, recent diarrhea was significantly associated with Blastocystis sp. infection. None of the other risk factors evaluated was statistically associated with infection. These results highlight the need to further investigate clinical, epidemiological, and genetic characteristics of Blastocystis sp. infections in this community.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Perea
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
| | - V. Vásquez
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
| | - V. Pineda
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
| | - F. Samudio
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
| | - J.E. Calzada
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
- Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria, Universidad de Panamá, Panama
| | - A. Saldaña
- Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas de Estudios de la Salud (ICGES), Panamá, Panama
- Centro de Investigación y Diagnóstico de Enfermedades Parasitarias (CIDEP), Universidad de Panamá, Facultad de Medicina, Panama
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Gantois N, Lamot A, Seesao Y, Creusy C, Li LL, Monchy S, Benamrouz-Vanneste S, Karpouzopoulos J, Bourgain JL, Rault C, Demaret F, Baydoun M, Chabé M, Fréalle E, Aliouat-Denis CM, Gay M, Certad G, Viscogliosi E. First Report on the Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis sp. in Edible Marine Fish and Marine Mammals: A Large Scale-Study Conducted in Atlantic Northeast and on the Coasts of Northern France. Microorganisms 2020; 8:microorganisms8030460. [PMID: 32213897 PMCID: PMC7144014 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8030460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Revised: 03/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is frequently identified in humans and animal hosts and exhibits a large genetic diversity with the identification of 17 subtypes (STs). Despite its zoonotic potential, its prevalence and ST distribution in edible marine fish and marine mammals remain unknown. A large-scale survey was thus conducted by screening 345 fish caught in Atlantic Northeast and 29 marine mammals stranded on the coasts of northern France for the presence of the parasite using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR. The prevalence of the parasite was about 3.5% in marine fish. These animals were mostly colonized by poikilotherm-derived isolates not identified in humans and corresponding to potential new STs, indicating that fish are natural hosts of Blastocystis. Marine fishes are also carriers of human STs and represent a likely limited source of zoonotic transmission. 13.8% of the marine mammals tested were colonized and 6 different STs were identified including 3 potential new STs. The risk of zoonotic transmission through marine mammals is insignificant due to the lack of repeated contact with humans. The present survey represents the first data regarding the prevalence and ST distribution of Blastocystis in marine fish and marine mammals and provides new insights into its genetic diversity, host range and transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nausicaa Gantois
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Angélique Lamot
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Yuwalee Seesao
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses), Laboratory for Food Safety, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-mer, France; (Y.S.); (L.-L.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Colette Creusy
- Service d’Anatomie et de Cytologie Pathologiques, Groupement des Hôpitaux de l’Institut Catholique de Lille (GHICL), F-59000 Lille, France;
| | - Luen-Luen Li
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses), Laboratory for Food Safety, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-mer, France; (Y.S.); (L.-L.L.); (M.G.)
- Univ. Littoral Côte d’Opale, CNRS, Univ. Lille, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-62930 Wimereux, France;
| | - Sébastien Monchy
- Univ. Littoral Côte d’Opale, CNRS, Univ. Lille, UMR 8187, LOG, Laboratoire d’Océanologie et de Géosciences, F-62930 Wimereux, France;
| | - Sadia Benamrouz-Vanneste
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
- Laboratoire Ecologie et Biodiversité, Faculté de Gestion Economie et Sciences, Institut Catholique de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Jacky Karpouzopoulos
- Coordination Mammalogique du Nord de la France, Groupe Mammifères Marins, F-62850 Alembon, France; (J.K.); (J.-L.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Jean-Luc Bourgain
- Coordination Mammalogique du Nord de la France, Groupe Mammifères Marins, F-62850 Alembon, France; (J.K.); (J.-L.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Célia Rault
- Coordination Mammalogique du Nord de la France, Groupe Mammifères Marins, F-62850 Alembon, France; (J.K.); (J.-L.B.); (C.R.)
| | - Fabien Demaret
- Observatoire PELAGIS - UMS 3462, La Rochelle Université/CNRS, F-17000 La Rochelle, France;
| | - Martha Baydoun
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Magali Chabé
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Emilie Fréalle
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Cécile-Marie Aliouat-Denis
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
| | - Mélanie Gay
- French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health and Safety (Anses), Laboratory for Food Safety, F-62200 Boulogne-sur-mer, France; (Y.S.); (L.-L.L.); (M.G.)
| | - Gabriela Certad
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
- Délégation à la Recherche Clinique et à l’Innovation, Groupement des Hôpitaux de l’Institut Catholique de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Eric Viscogliosi
- Univ. Lille, CNRS, Inserm, CHU Lille, Institut Pasteur de Lille, U1019 – UMR 9017 – CIIL – Centre d’Infection et d’Immunité de Lille, F-59000 Lille, France; (N.G.); (A.L.); (S.B.-V.); (M.B.); (M.C.); (E.F.); (C.-M.A.-D.); (G.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Betts EL, Gentekaki E, Tsaousis AD. Exploring Micro-Eukaryotic Diversity in the Gut: Co-occurrence of Blastocystis Subtypes and Other Protists in Zoo Animals. Front Microbiol 2020; 11:288. [PMID: 32161577 PMCID: PMC7052370 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2020.00288] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 02/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Blastocystis is a genetically diverse microbial eukaryote thriving in the gut of humans and other animals. While Blastocystis has been linked with gastrointestinal disorders, its pathogenicity remains controversial. Previous reports have suggested that one out of six humans could be carrying Blastocystis in their gut, while the numbers could be even higher in animals. Most studies on Blastocystis are either exclusively targeting the organism itself and/or the associated prokaryotic microbiome, while co-occurrence of other microbial eukaryotes has been mainly ignored. Herein, we aimed to explore presence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis along with the commonly occurring eukaryotes Cryptosporidium, Eimeria, Entamoeba and Giardia in the gut of asymptomatic animals from two conservation parks in the United Kingdom. Building upon a previous study, a total of 231 fecal samples were collected from 38 vertebrates, which included 12 carnivorous and 26 non-carnivorous species. None of the animals examined herein showed gastrointestinal symptoms. The barcoding region of the small subunit ribosomal RNA was used for subtyping of Blastocystis. Overall, 47% of animal species were positive for Blastocystis. Twenty six percent of samples carried more than one subtypes, including the newly identified hosts Scottish wildcat, bongo and lynx. Fifty three percent of samples carried at least another microbial eukaryote. Herewith, we discuss potential implications of these findings and the increasingly blurred definition of microbial parasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Betts
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
| | - Eleni Gentekaki
- School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand.,Gut Microbiome Research Group, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand
| | - Anastasios D Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular and Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, United Kingdom
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Chai Y, Deng L, Liu H, Yao J, Zhong Z, Fu H, Shen L, Zhou Z, Deng J, Hu Y, Peng G. First subtyping of Blastocystis sp. from pet rodents in southwestern China. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2020; 11:143-148. [PMID: 32071861 PMCID: PMC7011001 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2020.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2019] [Revised: 01/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/30/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a common eukaryotic parasite, which infects humans as well as various other animals. To date, epidemiological data regarding the detection rate and distribution of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in pet rodents are lacking in China; the present study aims to fill this gap. A total of 503 fecal samples collected from pets in different locations in southwestern China were screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using a nested PCR amplification of SSU rRNA method. Forty-two samples (8.35%) tested positive for Blastocystis sp. colonization. Two subtypes of Blastocystis sp. were identified based on nucleotide sequence homology and phylogenetic analysis: Blastocystis ST4 was present in 41 samples, and Blastocystis ST17 was found in 1 sample. Our results revealed robust host preference of Blastocystis ST4 and confirmed that Blastocystis ST17 can also parasitize rodents. This is the first survey of Blastocystis sp. from pet rodent in southwestern of China and that 503 rodents were surveyed. Forty-two samples (8.35%) tested positive for Blastocystis sp. colonization. Forty-one isolates were identified as subtype ST4 and one as ST17. Subtype ST4 shows a robust host preference for rodents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yijun Chai
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Lei Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Jingxin Yao
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Hualin Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Liuhong Shen
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Ziyao Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Junliang Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Yanchun Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
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Zanetti ADS, Malheiros AF, de Matos TA, Longhi FG, Moreira LM, Silva SL, Castrillon SKI, Ferreira SMB, Ignotti E, Espinosa OA. Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection in several hosts in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:30. [PMID: 31937366 PMCID: PMC6961275 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-3900-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2019] [Accepted: 01/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Blastocystis sp. affects a wide variety of animals and is the most common protozoan in human fecal samples with potential pandemic distribution. In the present study, a systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis sp. in different classes of hosts in Brazil. METHODS Studies that analyzed hosts of various classes, including humans, domestic animals, wild animals or captive animals, were considered. The pooled prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was estimated by random effects models. RESULTS For humans, similar prevalence rates were found for males (31.0%, 95% CI: 17.0-45.0%; weight 10%) and females (28.0%, 95% CI: 16.0-41.0%; weight 10%); the state of Mato Grosso do Sul showed the highest prevalence, with 41.0% positivity (95% CI: 36.0-46.0%; weight 2.9%). The prevalence among immunocompromised patients was 5.0% (95% CI: 3.0-7.0%; weight 10%), and the most common cause of immunosuppression was hemodialysis, with 23.0% (95% CI: 17.0-29.0%; weight 12.4%). Among classifications according to interaction with humans, wild and domestic animals presented values of 19.0% (95% CI: 7.0-31.0%; weight 42.6%) and 17.0% (95% CI: 13.0-21.0%; weight 29.6%), respectively. Among these animals, mammals (39.0%, 95% CI: 21.0-56.0%; weight 47.3%) and birds (18.0%, 95% CI: 10.0-27.0%; weight 39.3%) exhibited the highest prevalence. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. revealed greater genetic diversity for clades of subtypes (STs) ST1, ST2 and ST3. CONCLUSIONS The overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in the Brazilian human population was 24%, which reflects the reality in the South, Southeast and Midwest regions, where prevalence rates of up to 40% were found. Among animals, mammals and birds exhibited the highest prevalence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andernice Dos Santos Zanetti
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Antonio Francisco Malheiros
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Tatiane Amorim de Matos
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Fabiana Gulin Longhi
- The Brazilian Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana Melhorança Moreira
- Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Samuel Laudelino Silva
- Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Solange Kimie Ikeda Castrillon
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Silvana Margarida Benevides Ferreira
- The Brazilian Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare: A Joanna Briggs Institute Centre of Excellence, São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.,Post-Graduation Program in Nursing, Federal University of Mato Grosso (UFMT), Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Eliane Ignotti
- Post-Graduation Program in Environmental Science, Faculty of Agricultural and Biological Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil.,Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil
| | - Omar Ariel Espinosa
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, State University of Mato Grosso (UNEMAT), Cáceres, Mato Grosso, Brazil.
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Li XD, Zou Y, Pan J, Liang QL, Zeng Z, Meng YM, Wang XL, Wang HN, Zhu XQ. Prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis sp. infection in zoo animals in three cities in China. Parasitol Res 2020; 119:465-71. [PMID: 31845021 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06571-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 12/04/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis is a highly prevalent eukaryotic parasite of many animals and humans worldwide. It can compromise the gastrointestinal tract and cause gastrointestinal symptoms, constituting a serious threat to human health and animal growth. Many animals are potential sources of Blastocystis infection in humans. However, limited data are available regarding the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis infection among zoo animals in China. Therefore, the present study examined the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis in zoo animals in Hangzhou, Dalian, and Suzhou cities, China. Of 450 fecal samples from zoo animals, 27 (6.0%) were PCR-positive for Blastocystis, with 7.7% (8/104), 11.3% (7/62), 16.7% (3/18), 1.8% (2/114), 6.3% (1/16), 9.5% (2/21), and 3.6% (4/109) in artiodactyla, aves, rodentia, nonhuman primates, perissodactyla, marsupialia, and carnivora, respectively. Significant differences in the prevalence of Blastocystis were found among different animal groups (P < 0.05). Sequence analysis showed 7 known subtypes (ST2, ST4, ST5, ST7, ST8, ST10, and ST14) of Blastocystis in the present study, with ST10 (10/27) as the predominant subtype in all three of the examined zoos. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Blastocystis infection in Damaliscus dorcas, Cervus elaphus, Macropus rufogriseus, Grus japonensis, Trichoglossus haematodus, Panthera tigris ssp. tigris (white), Panthera tigris ssp. altaica, Lycaon pictus, Suricata suricatta, and Dolichotis patagonum in China. These results demonstrate the presence of Blastocystis infection in zoo animals and provided baseline data for preventing and controlling Blastocystis infection in zoo animals and humans in China.
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Li J, Karim MR, Li D, Rahaman Sumon SMM, Siddiki SHMF, Rume FI, Sun R, Jia Y, Zhang L. Molecular characterization of Blastocystis sp. in captive wildlife in Bangladesh National Zoo: Non-human primates with high prevalence and zoonotic significance. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 10:314-320. [PMID: 31867211 PMCID: PMC6906819 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.11.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2019] [Revised: 11/10/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a protozoan parasite, commonly found in the gastrointestinal tracts of animals and humans globally. The parasitic species has wide genetic diversity. Currently the mammalian and avian isolates of the parasite are grouped into 17 well known subtypes (STs), of which ten (ST1-ST9, ST12) are reported in humans. To assess the genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in wildlife, a total of 200 fresh fecal samples were collected from 32 mammalian wildlife species in Bangladesh National Zoo. Blastocystis sp. was screened and subtyped by PCR amplification and sequencing of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The minimum prevalence of Blastocystis sp. infection was 15.5% (31/200) in zoo animals. Eight out of 32 wildlife animal species (25.0%) were infected with Blastocystis sp. Among them, the occurrence of Blastocystis sp. was higher in non-human primates (NHPs) (31.8%) than that in herbivores (4.9%) and carnivores (0). Nucleotide sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA gene revealed seven different Blastocystis sp. subtypes, such as ST1, ST2, ST3, ST10, ST11, ST13 and ST14 in the wild animals. ST3 was the dominant subtype (41.9%, 13/31) being detected in NHPs. Of the 31 Blastocystis sp. isolates from the wild animals, 24 (77.4%) isolates belonged to the most common subtypes (ST1 to ST3) found in humans. This is the first molecular study of Blastocystis sp. in wild animals in Bangladesh. This study highlights the remarkable genetic diversity in Blastocystis sp. isolates from zoo animals and provides the first molecular evidence from spotted deer, gayal and grey langur. Due to circulation of large percentage of potentially zoonotic subtypes in the wild animals, there is a higher risk of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis sp. in the zoo keepers and visitors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junqiang Li
- Academy of Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China.,College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Md Robiul Karim
- Department of Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Dongfang Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | | | - S H M Faruk Siddiki
- Department of Medicine, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Farzana Islam Rume
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal, 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Ruiqin Sun
- Academy of Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yaquan Jia
- Academy of Chinese Medicine, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
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Martinez-Hernandez F, Martinez-Ibarra JA, Lopez-Escamilla E, Villanueva-Garcia C, Muñoz-Garcia CI, Rendon-Franco E, Maravilla P, Villalobos G. Molecular genotyping of Blastocystis spp. in wild mammals from Mexico. Parasitol Res 2019; 119:97-104. [PMID: 31735993 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06530-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2018] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis spp. are common intestinal parasites found worldwide in humans and a wide range of animals. They exhibit extensive genetic diversity; currently, 17 subtypes (STs) and some groups called non-mammalian and avian STs (NMASTs) have been proposed. In addition, a large variety of animals have been reported as hosts of the parasite, and new hosts and STs are still being described. In this study, Blastocystis infection of wild animals in two sylvatic areas of Mexico was surveyed. Of one hundred twenty-four fecal samples, six were positive for Blastocystis: specifically, one sample from an opossum, one sample from a bat, and four samples from different species of rodents. ST4, ST17, and nucleotide sequences similar to Blastocystis lapemi were identified based on SSU rDNA sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate species poorly or not previously evaluated for Blastocystis infection. Mammals having different niches and geographical distribution were infected with similar genetic type of Blastocystis, so that we suggest that local water or food sources could play an important role in Blastocystis transmission and ST maintenance in wild animals. Additionally, there are STs with scarce genetic variation, suggesting that they could be highly adapted to their hosts. These data contribute to our understanding of the host range and genetic diversity of Blastocystis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Martinez-Hernandez
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Jose Alejandro Martinez-Ibarra
- Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Universitario del Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, C.P. 49000, Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Eduardo Lopez-Escamilla
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Claudia Villanueva-Garcia
- Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Cambio Global, Centro de Investigación para la Conservación y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Tropicales, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, C.P. 86150, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico
| | - Claudia Irais Muñoz-Garcia
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, C.P. 04960, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Emilio Rendon-Franco
- Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, C.P. 04960, Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Pablo Maravilla
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Guiehdani Villalobos
- Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
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