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Annals of Parasitology 2020Blastocystis cf. hominis is an unicellular protozoan parasite commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Blastocystis is characterized by high...
Blastocystis cf. hominis is an unicellular protozoan parasite commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. Blastocystis is characterized by high morphological and genetic diversity. Studies based on the analysis of Blastocystis spp. small subunit ribosomal RNA genes (SSU rDNA) have identified 26 subtypes (ST) so far, including at least 10 isolated from humans (STs 1-9 and ST12). In 2017, stool samples from a dog and its two owners living in Gdynia, Poland were examined; all three were suffering from chronic diarrhoea. In addition, 30 faecal samples were also examined from 30 dogs kept in one of Warsaw's hotels for animals. Stool specimens were analyzed using anaerobic cultivation at 37°C with a modified Jones' medium and molecular methods (PCR). Phylogenetic analysis using Bayesian inference was performed. Vacuolar forms of Blastocystis were identified in the stool samples of the dog and its owners; Blastocystis were not detected in any sample from the dogs living in the animal hotel. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, the obtained isolates were classified as subtype ST3 (for Owner 1) and subtype ST7 (for Owner 2 and the dog). To the best of our knowledge, the present study is the first to evaluate the presence of Blastocystis in canines in Poland, including domestic dogs.
Topics: Animals; Bayes Theorem; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; DNA, Protozoan; Diarrhea; Dogs; Feces; Genetic Variation; Phylogeny; Poland
PubMed: 33355744
DOI: 10.17420/ap6604.300 -
BMC Veterinary Research Oct 2021Captive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. can be sources of zoonotic infections...
Occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. in captive wild animals in zoos in Henan, China.
BACKGROUND
Captive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. can be sources of zoonotic infections and diseases. Therefore, to investigate the distribution of these pathogens in captive wild animals of zoos in Henan, China, a total of 429 fresh fecal samples were collected from six zoos in Henan, China. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were determined by PCR analysis of corresponding loci. Positive results for Cryptosporidium (C. parvum and C. hominis) were subtyped based on the (gp60) gene.
RESULTS
The overall prevalence was 43.1% (185/429), and the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were 2.8% (12/429), 0.5% (2/429), 20.8% (89/429), and 19.1% (82/429), respectively. Five Cryptosporidium species, namely, C. hominis, C. parvum, C. muris, C. andersoni, and C. macropodum, were identified in this study. Cryptosporidium parvum was further subtyped as IIdA19G1. Two Giardia duodenalis assemblages (A and E) were also identified. A total of 20 Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes were detected, including 18 known (BEB6, D, HND-1, CD7, SDD1, Henan-IV, KIN-1, CHK1, Peru8, Henan-V, CHG11, CHG-1, CHS9, CHG21, Type-IV, CHC9, CM5, and CHB1) and 2 novel genotypes (CHWD1 and CHPM1). A total of nine subtypes of Blastocystis sp. (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST13, and ST14) were identified in captive wild animals in zoos in the present study. Cryptosporidium andersoni, nine Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes, and five Blastocystis subtypes were here first identified in new hosts.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study has expanded the host ranges of these four pathogens. The data indicate that animals in zoos can commonly be infected with these four zoonotic pathogens, and animals in zoos are potential sources of zoonotic infections in humans.
Topics: Animals; Animals, Zoo; Blastocystis; China; Cryptosporidium; Enterocytozoon; Genotype; Giardia lamblia; Host Specificity; Parasitic Diseases, Animal; Prevalence
PubMed: 34663327
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-03035-0 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Mar 2022This study aimed to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in children who were presented to health centers with a complaint of diarrhea and to reveal the...
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the frequency of intestinal parasites in children who were presented to health centers with a complaint of diarrhea and to reveal the importance of these parasites.
METHODS
The study was conducted on children within the age range of 1-16 who were presented to Iğdır State Hospital and Private Bulut Hospital between 2020 February-April 2020 with a complaint of diarrhea. A total of 300 children comprising 141 girls and 159 boys were enrolled in the study. The control group was composed of 100 children (girls=50, boys=50) without any chronic disease and diarrhea. Stool samples were evaluated by the native-Lugol method and the modified acid-fast staining method.
RESULTS
Intestinal parasite positivity was found in 105 (35%) out of the 300 children in the patient group and in 17 (17%) out of the 100 children in the control group. In terms of parasitic positivity, a statistically significant difference was found between children with diarrhea and the healthy control group (p=0.001). (13%), spp. (3%), and (2%) were found in the patient group. Intestinal parasitic positivity was found in 30.2% and 40.4% of the boys and girls in the patient group, respectively, whereas it was found in 14% and 20% of the boys and girls in the control group, respectively. When evaluated statistically according to gender, a significant difference (comparison for boys: p=0.008; comparison for girls: p=0.004) was noted between the patient group and control group for each gender. In terms of the relationship between the frequency of parasites and some living conditions of the patients, a statistically significant relationship was found in the comparison of "whether or not livestock" (p=0.004) and "whether there is a sewerage network" (p=0.002). Additionally, a significant difference was found between parasitic positivity and abdominal pain (p=0.008) and nausea (p=0.003).
CONCLUSION
The present study concludes that children with clinical symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and nausea, should be evaluated for intestinal parasites. Furthermore, it has been understood that intestinal parasites remain an important health problem among the pediatric cohort.
Topics: Animals; Child; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Parasites; Prevalence
PubMed: 35232704
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2021.65375 -
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2022spp., , , , , and are enteric protozoan parasites and fungal species in humans and animals. Père David's deer is an endangered species in China, but the prevalence of...
spp., , , , , and are enteric protozoan parasites and fungal species in humans and animals. Père David's deer is an endangered species in China, but the prevalence of enteric protozoans in this species still needs to be further studied. Thus, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of zoonotic parasites in Père David's deer during the period of 2018-2021. Among the 286 fecal samples collected from Père David's deer in the Nanhaizi Nature Reserve, 83 (29.0%) were positive for , 70 (24.5%) were positive for , while other protozoan parasites were negative. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, three subtypes (ST10, ST14, and ST21) and ten genotypes (Genotype D, MWC_d1, HLJD-V, Peru6, BEB6, BJED-I to BJED-I V) were identified. In addition, the subtype ST14 and the genotype D and Peru6 were first detected in Père David's deer. Our study first reports the presence of two enteric protozoans in Père David's deer during a 4-year active surveillance and provides more information about zoonotic subtypes/genotypes of and in deer.
PubMed: 36364973
DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11111223 -
Tropical Parasitology Jan 2013Blastocystis is a highly controversial protozoan parasite. It has been variably regarded as a commensal and pathogen. Scientists have for decades wondered whether it is...
Blastocystis is a highly controversial protozoan parasite. It has been variably regarded as a commensal and pathogen. Scientists have for decades wondered whether it is truly an enteropathogen and if it is observed in symptomatic patients whether treatment is required because patient recovery and improvement has been noted even without any treatment. Though associated with self-limiting infection, treatment is warranted in many patients due to persistence of symptoms. This particularly holds true for children and adults who are immuno compromised. Several drugs have been used to treat Blastocystis but each one of them has produced widely variable rates of clinical cure and eradication of the parasite from the feces. Based on the studies carried out in vitro and clinical responses obtained in patients, metronidazole appears to be the most effective drug for Blastocystis infection. However, the therapy is complicated due to different dosages and regimens adopted and the unresponsiveness to treatment observed in several sections of the population studied. Recently, the finding of different subsets of Blastocystis exhibiting resistance to metronidazole and associated with variable degrees of symptoms has underscored the importance of typing the subsets of the parasite in order to foretell the clinical response and the need to treat. Till date, the mode of action of the drugs used and the mechanism of resistance is not entirely known and is a topic of speculation. Other drugs with anti Blastocystis activity and used in therapy includes trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole and nitazoxanide. Several other compounds have also been evaluated for the treatment either alone or in combination with the first or second line drugs. A lot of interest has also been generated on the role of probiotics particularly Saccharomyces boularrdii and other natural food compounds on eradication of the parasite. This review provides a comprehensive overview of antimicrobials used to target Blastocystis and discusses the issues pertaining to drug resistance, treatment failure, reinfection, and the current views on treatment modalities.
PubMed: 23961439
DOI: 10.4103/2229-5070.113901 -
Journal of Infection and Public Health 2018Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp. remains controversial and it has been...
Blastocystis hominis is the most common intestinal parasite found in humans and many other hosts. Pathogenicity of Blastocystis sp. remains controversial and it has been suggested that it may be associated with certain subtypes of organism. The aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular epidemiology of B. hominis and its subtype distribution in Ahvaz, southwest of Iran. During 2012-2014, a total of 481 samples were collected from patients referred to the medical laboratory centers in Ahvaz for stool examination. Samples were examined by wet mount, and genomic DNA was extracted from 50 positive samples. PCR was performed using seven primer pairs targeting the SSU rDNA gene and sequenced. 69 (14.35%) samples were found to be positive for B. hominis and the subtypes of 50 samples were identified. Five subtypes (STs) were identified, including: ST1 (22%), ST2 (6%), ST3 (40%), ST4 (2%), and ST5 (8%). 11 (22%) mixed infections were found, of which 5 were a mixture of ST3/ST4. Mixtures of ST1/ST3 and ST1/ST4 were 3, respectively. In this study people infected with ST3 showed the most gastrointestinal symptoms. This is the first study in the population of Ahvaz and indicates the high prevalence of ST3 in this area. The results suggest a possible association between this subtype and pathogenic potential of parasite.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Blastocystis Infections; Blastocystis hominis; Child; Cluster Analysis; DNA, Protozoan; DNA, Ribosomal; Female; Genetic Variation; Genotype; Genotyping Techniques; Humans; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Young Adult
PubMed: 28404232
DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.03.009 -
The American Journal of Tropical... Apr 2015Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite found in humans living in poor sanitary conditions, living in tropical and subtropical climates, exposed to infected...
Blastocystis hominis is a common intestinal parasite found in humans living in poor sanitary conditions, living in tropical and subtropical climates, exposed to infected animals, or consuming contaminated food or water. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of B. hominis in Polish military personnel returning from peacekeeping missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. In total, 1,826 stool samples were examined. Gastrointestinal parasites were detected in 17% of the soldiers. The examined stool samples most frequently contained vacuolar forms of B. hominis (15.3%) and cysts of Entamoeba coli (1.0%) or Giardia lamblia (0.7%). In 97.1% of stool samples from infected soldiers, we observed less than five developmental forms of B. hominis in the field of view (40×). The parasite infections in soldiers were diagnosed in the autumn and the spring. There was no statistical correlation between age and B. hominis infection. Our results show that peacekeeping missions in countries with tropical or subtropical climates could be associated with risk for parasitic diseases, including blastocystosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Afghanistan; Age Factors; Aged; Animals; Blastocystis Infections; Blastocystis hominis; Feces; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Iraq; Middle Aged; Military Personnel; Parasites; Poland; Prevalence; Seasons; Young Adult
PubMed: 25732683
DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.14-0344 -
Przeglad Epidemiologiczny 2017Blastocystis hominis s. l. is one of the most commonly detected protozoa in the human large intestine. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic subtypes of...
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES
Blastocystis hominis s. l. is one of the most commonly detected protozoa in the human large intestine. The aim of the study was to determine the genetic subtypes of Blastocystis hominis s. l. occurring in humans in Poland.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Stool samples from patients diagnosed in the Laboratory of the Department of Parasitology, National Institute of Public Health – National Institute of Hygiene (NIZP-PZH) and in the Parasitology Laboratory of the Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Warsaw were examined. Blastocystis subtypes were assayed based on the fragment of small-subunit ribosomal RNA gene sequences (SSU rDNA).
RESULTS
The examined isolates were classified into five Blastocystis subtypes (STs), fifteen of which belonged to ST3, three to ST1, two to ST2, two to ST6, and one isolate belonged to ST7. In three cases the subtype of isolate was not identified.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS
In Poland, the subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST6 and ST7 have been reported in humans so far. The ST6 and ST7 subtypes are rarely detected in humans in Europe. In Poland, the ST6 subtype was previously described in chickens. On the basis of the studies, it was found that Blastocystis isolated from humans in Warsaw show high genetic diversity. In order to determine the possible pathogenic potential of individual Blastocystis subtypes, special epidemiological studies are required.
Topics: Adult; Animals; Blastocystis Infections; Blastocystis hominis; DNA, Protozoan; Diarrhea; Feces; Genetic Variation; Humans; Male; Poland
PubMed: 29415532
DOI: No ID Found -
International Journal For Parasitology.... Dec 2021cf. is the most common unicellular parasite found in human and animal intestines. Little is known about the life cycle, transmission and mechanisms of pathogenesis for...
cf. is the most common unicellular parasite found in human and animal intestines. Little is known about the life cycle, transmission and mechanisms of pathogenesis for this parasite. The aim of this study was to obtain new data on the genetic diversity of in selected species of mammals found in the Białowieża Primeval Forest (BPF), Poland, the best preserved lowland forest in temperate Europe. 113 faecal samples were collected in the period 2018-2020 from seven species of wild mammals occurring within the Polish part of BPF and its surroundings. was detected by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene. The overall prevalence of in animals was 8.9%. A larger number of stool samples (90) were collected from European bison and only for this species was it possible to calculate the prevalence of infection (5.6%). The isolates obtained from European bison were classified as ST1, ST3, ST5, ST7. was also detected in the grey wolf () (ST5), wild boar () (ST5) and red deer () (ST1). In conclusion, for the first time we have demonstrated the presence of in wild European bison. Preliminary studies have shown that is present in at least 4 species of wild mammals in the BPF area and that it exhibits great genetic diversity.
PubMed: 34552843
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2021.08.010 -
Parasitology Research Sep 2018Intestinal opportunistic infections are often caused by unicellular parasites. Individuals with decreased immunity are particularly susceptible to infection by said...
Intestinal opportunistic infections are often caused by unicellular parasites. Individuals with decreased immunity are particularly susceptible to infection by said microorganisms, and when they are infected, diarrhea can be the main clinical manifestation. However, intestinal parasites have rarely been taken into account in intestinal disorders. In our study, an investigation was conducted to determine the prevalence of intestinal micro-pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, Blastocystis, and microsporidia, in hospitalized patients with different immunological statuses. The study at hand indicates that protozoan parasitic infections are rare among immunodeficient patients in Poland. The overall prevalence of micro-pathogens among participants was 4.6%; it was three times higher in adults (12.5%) than in children (2.3%). Cryptosporidium and Cyclospora species (Apicomplexa) were diagnosed as the main cause of heavy diarrhea. Accordingly, adult patients were positive mainly for Blastocystis and microsporidia, while children were more often infected with the Cryptosporidium species.
Topics: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adolescent; Adult; Animals; Blastocystis; Blastocystis Infections; Child; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Cyclospora; Cyclosporiasis; Diarrhea; Feces; Female; Giardia; Giardiasis; Humans; Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic; Male; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Middle Aged; Opportunistic Infections; Poland; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
PubMed: 29946765
DOI: 10.1007/s00436-018-5976-6