1
|
Hidalgo-Gonzalez LA, Salgado-Lopez J, Pineda-Rodriguez SA, Martinez A, Romero-Valdovinos M, Martinez-Hernandez F, Rendon-Franco E, Olivo-Diaz A, Maravilla P, Rodriguez-Bataz E. Identification of Blastocystis sp. in school children from a rural Mexican village: subtypes and risk factors analysis. Parasitol Res 2023:10.1007/s00436-023-07872-w. [PMID: 37191687 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-023-07872-w] [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: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Blastocystis sp. is a common eukaryotic microorganism that colonizes the intestinal tract of several animals, including humans, although its role as a pathogen is still unclear. In the present study, we report the prevalence and risk factors associated with Blastocystis infection in scholars from a rural community in Mexico. A cross-sectional observational study was carried out on schoolchildren aged 3 to 15 years old; fecal samples were analyzed by culture, Faust technique, and molecular analysis. In addition, a structured questionnaire was applied to identify possible risk factors. Of the 177 samples obtained, Blastocystis sp. was the microorganism that presented the highest frequency (n=78, 44%), and included the following subtypes (STs): ST1 (n=43, 56.5%), ST2 (n=18, 23.6%), and ST3 (n=15, 19.7%); Blastocystis STs were not identified in two cases. No associating factors were found between Blastocystis infection or among STs vs. symptoms. During bivariate analysis, no statistically significant risk factors were found, except for the variable of "eating sweets, snacks, and handmade food on the way home" (p=0.04). Therefore, it is plausible to conclude that schoolchildren become infected with Blastocystis sp. mainly outside their homes, perhaps by eating contaminated handmade food on their way to or from school; however, this variable should be evaluated in detail in future studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Leydi Anahi Hidalgo-Gonzalez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Parasitologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero, El Centenario, 39086, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Jeanille Salgado-Lopez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Parasitologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero, El Centenario, 39086, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Sandra Alheli Pineda-Rodriguez
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Parasitologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero, El Centenario, 39086, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico
| | - Arony Martinez
- Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez", 14080, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | | | - Emilio Rendon-Franco
- Departamento de Produccion Agricola y Animal, Universidad Autonoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, Mexico City, Mexico
| | | | - Pablo Maravilla
- Hospital General "Dr. Manuel Gea Gonzalez", 14080, Mexico City, Mexico.
| | - Elvia Rodriguez-Bataz
- Laboratorio de Investigacion en Parasitologia, Facultad de Ciencias Quimico Biologicas, Universidad Autonoma de Guerrero, El Centenario, 39086, Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico.
| |
Collapse
|