Blastocystis infection among diarrhea outpatients in Ningbo, Southeast China: A potential zoonotic health threat

Hua Liu; Hongxia Ni; Na Zhu; Shike Liu; Rong Wang; Jianping Cao; Yujuan Shen; Jianhai Yin

doi:10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106219

Blastocystis infection among diarrhea outpatients in Ningbo, Southeast China: A potential zoonotic health threat

Microb Pathog. 2023 Aug:181:106219. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106219. Epub 2023 Jun 28.

Authors

Hua Liu¹, Hongxia Ni², Na Zhu³, Shike Liu⁴, Rong Wang², Jianping Cao¹, Yujuan Shen⁵, Jianhai Yin⁶

Affiliations

¹ National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.
² Ningbo Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315010, China.
³ Ningbo Medical Center Lihuili Hospital, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315048, China.
⁴ Ninghai County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Ningbo, Zhejiang Province, 315699, China.
⁵ National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China. Electronic address: shenyj@nipd.chinacdc.cn.
⁶ National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, WHO Collaborating Center for Tropical Diseases, National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China. Electronic address: yinjh@nipd.chinacdc.cn.

PMID: 37391101
DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2023.106219

Abstract

Background: Blastocystis is one of the important zoonotic parasites which can infect humans and various animals worldwide and has become a growing global public health concern. The study aims to obtain the data of Blastocystis infection and the information of the genetic characteristic.

Methods: In the present study, 489 fecal samples were collected from diarrhea outpatients in Ningbo, Zhejiang province, and were examined the presence of Blastocystis by polymerase chain reaction combined with sequencing.

Results: A total of 10 samples (2.04%, 10/489) were positive for Blastocystis with no significant difference among sex and age groups, respectively. Eight samples were successfully sequenced, and five zoonotic ST3 and three zoonotic ST1 with two new sequences were identified.

Conclusions: We first demonstrated the occurrence of Blastocystis infection in diarrhea outpatients in Ningbo, with two zoonotic subtypes (ST1 and ST3) and two new sequences being characterized. Meanwhile, mixed infection of Blastocystis and E. bieneusi was found which indicates the importance of investigation of multiple parasites. Finally, more extensive studies will be needed to better understand the transmission of Blastocystis at human-animal-environment interface and provide evidence for the development of one health strategies for the prevention and control of such diseases.

Keywords: Blastocystis; Diarrhea patients; Genetic polymorphism; Ningbo; One health.

MeSH terms

Animals
Blastocystis Infections* / epidemiology
Blastocystis Infections* / parasitology
Blastocystis* / genetics
China / epidemiology
Diarrhea / epidemiology
Feces / parasitology
Genetic Variation
Humans
Outpatients
Phylogeny
Prevalence