Blastocystis colonization and associations with population parameters in Thai adults.

Autor: Jinatham, Vasana, Yowang, Amara, Stensvold, Christen Rune, Michalopoulou, Eleni, Vichaslip, Thanakrit, Suwannahitatorn, Picha, Popluechai, Siam, Tsaousis, Anastasios D., Gentekaki, Eleni
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Zdroj: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases; 7/9/2024, Vol. 18 Issue 7, p1-19, 19p
Abstrakt: Background: Blastocystis is a unicellular eukaryote commonly found in the intestinal tract of humans and other animals. The prevalence of Blastocystis has been investigated in both developed and developing countries, yet its occurrence and distribution in rural locations has been less studied. Herein, we aimed to examine the distribution of Blastocystis colonization in Thai adults representing background populations along a rural/peri-urban gradient, as well as associations between colonization and personal characteristics. Methodology: A total of 238 participants were recruited from rural and peri-urban areas situated in three provinces. The presence of Blastocystis in feces was evaluated using PCR and qPCR. Information on gender, age, region (province), rural/peri-urban location, and body mass index (BMI) was collected. Principal findings: The overall rate of Blastocystis carriage was 67.2%. Univariate analysis revealed significant associations between Blastocystis carriage and region (p<0.05), location (p<0.001) and age group (p<0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that rural/peri-urban location and BMI were significantly associated with Blastocystis carriage. Nine subtypes (ST1-ST7, ST10 and ST23) were identified with ST3, ST7 and ST1 as the most abundant ones, in this order. The greatest diversity of subtypes, in terms of numbers, was found in the middle aged group (nine subtypes), while the least diversity was found in the young adult and obese (three subtypes each) groups. Conclusions: This study increases the understanding of the epidemiology of Blastocystis colonization and its association with population parameters and characteristics in middle-income countries. Author summary: Blastocystis is an enteric microbial eukaryote of ubiquitous, worldwide occurrence in both humans and animals. Based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene, Blastocystis has been divided into genetically distinct subgroups, called subtypes. It has been hypothesized that some of these subtypes might be pathogenic. Despite a century of research efforts, gaps remain on our knowledge of Blastocystis epidemiology. In this study, the authors investigated occurrence of Blastocystis among Thai, gut-healthy adults from three provinces in a rural/peri-urban gradient and examined associations with age, area of residence and body mass index (BMI). In this study, 67% of the participants were Blastocystis positive. Region, location and age group were individually associated with Blastocystis infection. Statistical model testing indicated that location and BMI were also associated with Blastocystis carriage. Nine subtypes were identified with the middle aged group having the greatest diversity (all nine subtypes). The obese and young adult groups had the least subtype diversity (three subtypes). This study sheds lights on the molecular epidemiology of Blastocystis and the relevant risk factors in middle-income countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index
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