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Xichen Zhang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • high prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in gastrointestinal cancer patients
    Parasites & Vectors, 2019
    Co-Authors: Nan Zhang, Pengtao Gong, Hongbo Zhang, Zhanjie Cong, Chunying Tian, Xiaofeng Liu, Xichen Zhang
    Abstract:

    Pentatrichomonas hominis is a flagellated protozoan that inhabits the large intestine of humans. Although several protozoans have been proposed to have a role in cancer progression, little is known about the epidemiology of P. hominis infection in cancer patients. To determine the prevalence of P. hominis in patients with digestive system malignancies, we collected 195 and 142 fecal samples from gastrointestinal cancer patients and residents without any complaints related to the digestive system, respectively. Each sample was detected for the presence of P. hominis by nested PCR amplifying the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and partial 18S rRNA gene. A significantly higher prevalence of P. hominis was found in cancer patients than that in the control population (41.54 vs 9.15%, χ2 = 42.84, df = 1, P < 0.001), resulting in a 6.75-fold risk of gastrointestinal cancers (OR: 6.75, 95% CI: 3.55–12.83, P < 0.001). The highest prevalence of P. hominis infection was detected in small intestine cancer patients (60%, OR: 14.88, 95% CI: 0.82–4.58, P = 0.009) followed by liver (57.14%, χ2 = 10.82, df = 1, P = 0.001) and stomach cancer patients (45.1%, χ2 = 31.95, df = 1, P < 0.001). In addition, phylogenetic analysis provided some evidence supporting that human P. hominis infection might derive from animal sources. To our knowledge, this study is the first report presenting the high association between P. hominis and gastrointestinal cancers. Nevertheless, whether there is any possible pathological role of P. hominis infection in cancer patients needs to be further elucidated.

  • prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infections in six farmed wildlife species in jilin china
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2017
    Co-Authors: Xichen Zhang, Ju Yang, Zhengtao Yang, Pengtao Gong
    Abstract:

    Pentatrichomonas hominis is an anaerobic flagellated protozoan that primarily parasitizes the gastrointestinal tract and is a conditional pathogen. It has an extensive host range and is well known as a potential causative agent of zoonotic disease. The objective of this study was to provide the first findings of the prevalence of P. hominis in six farmed wildlife species, sika deer (S.D.), Rex rabbits (R.R.), blue foxes (B.F.), silver foxes (S.F.), raccoon dogs (R.D.) and minks (M.), that are commercially important in Jilin Province, China. In this study, 450 faecal samples were tested for P. hominis infection by culturing and nested PCR assays. The average prevalence of P. hominis infections were as follows: S.D. 20% (26/130), R.R. 16.25% (13/80), B.F. 45% (27/60), S.F. 43.33% (26/60), R.D. 53.33% (32/60) and M. 48.33% (29/60). The prevalence in herbivores (18.57% for S.D. and R.R.) was significantly lower than that in non-herbivores (47.5%). PCR product sequencing indicated that infections were mainly caused by the P. hominis strain Changchun Canine 1, and we found a P. hominis strain with a mutated sequence, Changchun-RR, which had three mutations compared with the referenced homologous P. hominis sequences. Morphological observations of the Changchun-RR strain showed that it was similar to P. hominis. Our study suggests that P. hominis is widespread in six farmed wildlife species in Jilin Province and provides baseline information for the presence of this parasite in these animals.

  • Pentatrichomonas hominis prevalence and molecular characterization in humans dogs and monkeys in northern china
    Parasitology Research, 2016
    Co-Authors: Meng Ying, Pengtao Gong, Ju Yang, Xichen Zhang
    Abstract:

    Pentatrichomonas hominis is an anaerobic amitochondrial flagellated protist that primarily colonizes the large intestines of a number of species, including cats, dogs, nonhuman primates, and humans. The prevalence of this parasite in dogs, monkeys, and humans is, however, poorly understood. In this study, a total of 362 fecal samples including 252 dogs, 60 monkeys, and 50 humans from northern China were collected for an epidemiological survey of P. hominis infection.The average prevalence of P. hominis infection determined by nested PCR was 27.38 % (69/252), 4.00 % (2/50), and 46.67 %(28/60) in dogs, humans, and monkeys, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in 6-month-old dogs (41.53 %) and children (7.69 %) than in older dogs (14.39 %) and adults (0 %) (P < 0.05). Sequencing of amplicons revealed that four variable positions separated sequences into three types, called CC1-3. CC1 was the most prevalent in the study population. This study determined that P. hominis infection is common in dogs, monkeys, and humans, especially in children and young dogs. Given the infection prevalence, P. hominis may pose a risk of zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission.

  • molecular and morphologic identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in swine
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2014
    Co-Authors: Pengtao Gong, Ying Meng, Chengcai Zhang, Ju Yang, Xichen Zhang
    Abstract:

    A marasmic pig with watery diarrhea was identified to harbor the human-pathogenic protist Pentatrichomonas hominis by PCR and sequence analysis of three genetic loci (ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2, 18S rRNA, and EF-1α), electron microscopy, and infection experiments. DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analysis indicated the organism isolated in this study was most closely related to P. hominis. SEM and TEM observation of the ultrastructure demonstrated that it had a morphology identical to P. hominis. The result of experimental infections with P. hominis exhibited that the cells had the ability to propagate in the cecum of piglets and fecal-oral route might be the major way in which pigs became infected. The present study confirmed that swine could be a host for P. hominis and might serve as a reservoir for human trichomoniasis.

  • Pentatrichomonas hominis first isolation from the feces of a dog with diarrhea in china
    Parasitology Research, 2014
    Co-Authors: Pengtao Gong, Ju Yang, Meng Ying, Zhengtao Yang, Guocai Zhang, Xichen Zhang
    Abstract:

    A trichomonad-like parasite isolated from canine fecal samples in Changchun, China was successfully cultivated in vitro using RPMI1640 medium supplemented with 10% heat-inactivated calf serum and antibiotics. These were then subjected to scanning and transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural study. This parasite has four anterior flagella of unequal length, one independent flagellum, and one recurrent flagellum. It exhibits an anterior nucleus, a Golgi complex, an axostyle, food vacuoles, and hydrogenosomes. These features are consistent with the ultrastructural characteristics of previously described Pentatrichomonas hominis. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of three genetic loci, including ITS1-5.8S rRNA-ITS2, 18S rRNA, and EF-1α, were also used to compare these samples with other trichomonad species. Molecular identification was also consistent with P. hominis. This is the first time that isolation of P. hominis has been isolated from dog in China, although several other strains of P. hominis have been isolated from human samples.

Michael G Levy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • optimization of a species specific polymerase chain reaction assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in canine fecal specimens
    American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Stephen H Stauffer, Maria R Coccaro, Miriam J Marcotte, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Objective—To determine the optimum reaction conditions and detection limits of PCR assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in DNA extracted from canine feces. Sample Population—DNA extracted from feces of 4 dogs with diarrhea from which trichomonads were observed, 81 dogs that had feces submitted to a diagnostic laboratory, and 19 dogs residing in a laboratory animal facility. Procedures—Optimum reaction conditions and absolute and practical detection limits of 2 P hominis 18S species-specific primer pairs were determined by use of an in vitro cultivated canine isolate of P hominis in the presence and absence of canine feces. The optimized PCR assay was applied to amplification of P hominis 18S rRNA genes from DNA extracted from the feces of dogs. Results—Under optimized conditions, a primer pair was identified as able to detect as few as 1 P hominis organism/180-mg fecal sample. The PCR assay identified P hominis in diarrheic feces of 4 dogs in which trichomonads were seen by light microscop...

  • identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in feline fecal samples by polymerase chain reaction assay
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Stephen H Stauffer, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Pentatrichomonas hominis is considered to be a commensal protozoan of the vertebrate digestive tract. On the basis of light microscopic examination of feces, some investigators presumptively identified P. hominis as a causative agent of feline diarrhea. However, molecular identification of P. hominis infection in the cat has not been reported. Another trichomonad, Tritrichomonas foetus, is recognized as an intestinal pathogen in cats and often presumptively diagnosed on the basis of the presence of trichomonads in diarrheic feces. It is of importance to determine if cats are natural hosts for P. hominis, as the presence of this organism could result in inaccurate assumption of T. foetus infection. In this study, we used a species-specific PCR assay to identify P. hominis 18S rRNA genes in fecal samples collected from a convenience population of cats in which a high prevalence of T. foetus infection had been previously identified (cat show) or suspected (submitted for T. foetus diagnostic testing). The prevalence of T. foetus infection in these samples was 31% and 28.6%, respectively. P. hominis infection was identified by PCR of DNA extracted from feces of five cats (1.9% and 2.1% of fecal samples, respectively). All cats in which P. hominis was identified were also infected with T. foetus. PCR identification of P. hominis infection in the cat should facilitate future studies to determine the pathogenicity of this species and enable differentiation of P. hominis from other known or as-yet unidentified species of trichomonads that may infect cats.

  • use of a commercially available culture system for diagnosis of tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats
    Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2003
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Derek M Foster, Matthew F Poore, Marty E Stebbins, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Objective—To evaluate the efficacy of and optimize a commercially available culture system for sensitive and specific in-clinic culture of Tritrichomonas foetus from cat feces. Design—Prospective study. Sample Population—Samples of freshly voided feces from 117 purebred cats and pure cultures of T foetus obtained from a cat with chronic diarrhea. Procedure—Optimal conditions for use of the culture system, such as quantity of fecal inoculum (0.025 to 0.2 g) and cultivation temperature (25 or 37°C [98.6 or 77.0°F]), were determined. Specificity of the system was examined by attempted culture of Giardia lamblia and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Sensitivity of the system to detect T foetus was determined by inoculation of culture system pouches with serially diluted T foetus suspensions with and without feces. Results—Detection limit of the culture system was 1 and 1,000 T foetus organisms without and with feces from cats, respectively. Optimal fecal inoculum was < 0.1 g of feces. At 37°C, cultures yielded positi...

  • tritrichomonas foetus and not Pentatrichomonas hominis is the etiologic agent of feline trichomonal diarrhea
    Journal of Parasitology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Michael G Levy, Jody L Gookin, M H Poore, Adam J Birkenheuer, Michael J Dykstra, Wayne R Litaker
    Abstract:

    Recently, several investigators have reported large-bowel diarrhea in cats associated with intestinal trichomonad parasites. These reports have presumptively identified the flagellates as Pentatrichomonas hominis, an organism putatively capable of infecting the intestinal tracts of a number of mammalian hosts, including cats, dogs, and man. The purpose of the present study was to determine the identity of this recently recognized flagellate by means of rRNA gene sequence analysis; restriction enzyme digest mapping; and light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

  • single tube nested pcr for detection of tritrichomonas foetus in feline feces
    Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2002
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Adam J Birkenheuer, Edward B Breitschwerdt, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Tritrichomonas foetus, a venereal pathogen of cattle, was recently identified as an inhabitant of the large intestine in young domestic cats with chronic diarrhea. Recognition of the infection in cats has been mired by unfamiliarity with T. foetus in cats as well as misdiagnosis of the organisms as Pentatrichomonas hominis or Giardia sp. when visualized by light microscopy. The diagnosis of T. foetus presently depends on the demonstration of live organisms by direct microscopic examination of fresh feces or by fecal culturing. As T. foetus organisms are fastidious and fragile, routine flotation techniques and delayed examination and refrigeration of feces are anticipated to preclude the diagnosis in numerous cases. The objective of this study was to develop a sensitive and specific PCR test for the diagnosis of feline T. foetus infection. A single-tube nested PCR was designed and optimized for the detection of T. foetus in feline feces by using a combination of novel (TFITS-F and TFITS-R) and previously described (TFR3 and TFR4) primers. The PCR is based on the amplification of a conserved portion of the T. foetus internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region (ITS1 and ITS2) and the 5.8S rRNA gene. The absolute detection limit of the single-tube nested PCR was 1 organism, while the practical detection limit was 10 organisms per 200 mg of feces. Specificity was examined by using P. hominis, Giardia lamblia, and feline genomic DNA. Our results demonstrate that the single-tube nested PCR is ideally suited for (i) diagnostic testing of feline fecal samples that are found negative by direct microscopy and culturing and (ii) definitive identification of microscopically observable or cultivated organisms.

Eric Viscogliosi - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • prevalence risk factors of infection and molecular characterization of trichomonads in puppies from french breeding kennels
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Aurélien Grellet, Laurine Vandewynckel, Amandine Cian, Dionigia Meloni, Corine Boucrautbaralon, Didier Grandjean, Alexandre Feugier, Eric Viscogliosi
    Abstract:

    Abstract The trichomonad species Tritrichomonas fetus and Pentatrichomonas hominis were recently identified in the feces of dogs with diarrhea. However the prevalence and pathogenicity of these parasites in the canine population still remained poorly resolved. Therefore the aim of the present study was (1) to determine the prevalence of trichomonads infecting puppies living in French breeding kennels, (2) to confirm the predominance of P. hominis in dogs, (3) to investigate the genetic diversity of P. hominis isolates identified in the French canine population and (4) to evaluate the risk factors for infection by P. hominis and the influence of the parasite on feces consistency. A total of 215 both diarrheic and non-diarrheic puppies from 25 French breeding kennels were included in this epidemiological survey. Fecal samples from each puppy were examined for 6 gastrointestinal pathogens: parvovirus type 2 (CPV2), coronavirus, Toxocara canis, Cystoisospora ohioensis-complex, Cystoisospora canis, and Giardia intestinalis. A part of each collected stool was also tested for the presence of motile trichomonads by microscopy after culturing. The prevalence of trichomonad infection was 15.8% (34/215) among puppies and 20% (5/25) among breeding kennels. DNA from 26 of the 34 positive samples was successfully amplified using a trichomonad-specific primer pair. Analysis of the sequences of PCR products indicated that P. hominis was the only trichomonad infecting the canine population. All the puppies infected with P. hominis belonged to large breed dogs. Moreover, puppies from large breeding kennels, excreting a high level of G. intestinalis and/or excreting a high level of C. canis oocysts showed a higher probability of being positive for P. hominis infection. Univariate analysis also revealed an increased risk for P. hominis infection in puppies with abnormal feces. However, in a multivariate analysis, CPV2 was the only gastrointestinal pathogen associated with abnormal feces. Since enteropathogens were commonly found in dogs infected by P. hominis, the pathogenic potential of this trichomonad species remained uncertain and has to be further evaluated by experimental infection studies.

  • phylogenetic relationships of class ii fumarase genes from trichomonad species
    Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2001
    Co-Authors: Delphine Gerbod, Christophe Noel, Jan Tachezy, Virginia P Edgcomb, Stepanka Vanacova, Rene Wintjens, Mitchell L Sogin, Eric Viscogliosi
    Abstract:

    Class II fumarase sequences were obtained by polymerase chain reaction from five trichomonad species. All residues known to be highly conserved in this enzyme were present. Nuclear run-on assays showed that one of the two genes identified in Tritrichomonas foetus was expressed, whereas no fumarase transcripts were detected in the related species Trichomonas vaginalis. These findings corroborate previous biochemical data. Fumarase genes were also expressed in Monocercomonas sp. and Tetratrichomonas gallinarum but not in Pentatrichomonas hominis, Trichomonas gallinae, Trichomonas tenax, and Trichomitus batrachorum under the culture conditions used. Molecular trees inferred by likelihood methods reveal that trichomonad sequences have no affinity to described class II fumarase genes from other eukaryotes. The absence of functional mitochondria in protists such as trichomonads suggests that they diverged from other eukaryotes prior to the alpha-proteobacterial symbiosis that led to mitochondria. Furthermore, they are basal to other eukaryotes in rRNA analyses. However, support for the early-branching status of trichomonads and other amitochondriate protists based on phylogenetic analyses of multiple data sets has been equivocal. Although the presence of hydrogenosomes suggests that trichomonads once had mitochondria, their class II iron-independent fumarase sequences differ markedly from those of other mitochondriate eukaryotes. All of the class II fumarase genes described from other eukaryotes are of apparent alpha-proteobacterial origin and hence a marker of mitochondrial evolution. In contrast, the class II fumarase from trichomonads emerges among other eubacterial homologs. This is intriguing evidence for an independent acquisition of these genes in trichomonads apart from the mitochondrial endosymbiosis event that gave rise to the form present in other eukaryotes. The ancestral trichomonad class II fumarase may represent a prokaryotic form that was replaced in other eukaryotes after the divergence of trichomonads with the movement of endosymbiont genes into the nucleus. Alternatively, it may have been acquired via a separate endosymbiotic event or lateral gene transfer.

Jody L Gookin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • feline tritrichomonas foetus adhere to intestinal epithelium by receptor ligand dependent mechanisms
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2013
    Co-Authors: Mary Katherine Tolbert, Stephen H Stauffer, Jody L Gookin
    Abstract:

    Tritrichomonas foetus (TF) is a protozoan that infects the feline ileum and colon resulting in chronic diarrhea. Up to 30% of young purebred cats are infected with TF and the infection is recognized as pandemic. Only a single drug, characterized by a narrow margin of safety and emerging development of resistance, is effective for treatment. While the venereal pathogenicity of bovine TF is attributed to adherence to uterovaginal epithelium, the pathogenesis of diarrhea in feline TF infection is unknown. The aim of this study was to establish an in vitro model of feline TF adhesion to intestinal epithelium. Confluent monolayers of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) were infected with axenic cultures of feline TF that were labeled with [(3)H] thymidine or CFSE and harvested at log-phase. The effect of multiplicity and duration of infection, viability of TF, binding competition, formalin fixation and cytoskeletal inhibitors on adherence of feline TF to IPEC-J2 monolayers was quantified by liquid scintillation counting and immunofluorescence. [(3)H] thymidine and CFSE-labeled TF reproducibly adhered to IPEC-J2 monolayers. Clinical isolates of feline TF adhered to the intestinal epithelium in significantly greater numbers than Pentatrichomonas hominis, the latter of which is a presumably nonpathogenic trichomonad. Adhesion of TF required viable trophozoites but was independent of cytoskeletal activity. Based on saturation and competition binding experiments, adherence of feline TF to the epithelium occurred via specific receptor-ligand interactions. The developed model provides a valuable resource for assessing pathogenic mechanisms of feline TF and developing novel pharmacologic therapies for blocking the adhesion of feline TF to the intestinal epithelium.

  • optimization of a species specific polymerase chain reaction assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in canine fecal specimens
    American Journal of Veterinary Research, 2007
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Stephen H Stauffer, Maria R Coccaro, Miriam J Marcotte, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Objective—To determine the optimum reaction conditions and detection limits of PCR assay for identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in DNA extracted from canine feces. Sample Population—DNA extracted from feces of 4 dogs with diarrhea from which trichomonads were observed, 81 dogs that had feces submitted to a diagnostic laboratory, and 19 dogs residing in a laboratory animal facility. Procedures—Optimum reaction conditions and absolute and practical detection limits of 2 P hominis 18S species-specific primer pairs were determined by use of an in vitro cultivated canine isolate of P hominis in the presence and absence of canine feces. The optimized PCR assay was applied to amplification of P hominis 18S rRNA genes from DNA extracted from the feces of dogs. Results—Under optimized conditions, a primer pair was identified as able to detect as few as 1 P hominis organism/180-mg fecal sample. The PCR assay identified P hominis in diarrheic feces of 4 dogs in which trichomonads were seen by light microscop...

  • identification of Pentatrichomonas hominis in feline fecal samples by polymerase chain reaction assay
    Veterinary Parasitology, 2007
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Stephen H Stauffer, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Pentatrichomonas hominis is considered to be a commensal protozoan of the vertebrate digestive tract. On the basis of light microscopic examination of feces, some investigators presumptively identified P. hominis as a causative agent of feline diarrhea. However, molecular identification of P. hominis infection in the cat has not been reported. Another trichomonad, Tritrichomonas foetus, is recognized as an intestinal pathogen in cats and often presumptively diagnosed on the basis of the presence of trichomonads in diarrheic feces. It is of importance to determine if cats are natural hosts for P. hominis, as the presence of this organism could result in inaccurate assumption of T. foetus infection. In this study, we used a species-specific PCR assay to identify P. hominis 18S rRNA genes in fecal samples collected from a convenience population of cats in which a high prevalence of T. foetus infection had been previously identified (cat show) or suspected (submitted for T. foetus diagnostic testing). The prevalence of T. foetus infection in these samples was 31% and 28.6%, respectively. P. hominis infection was identified by PCR of DNA extracted from feces of five cats (1.9% and 2.1% of fecal samples, respectively). All cats in which P. hominis was identified were also infected with T. foetus. PCR identification of P. hominis infection in the cat should facilitate future studies to determine the pathogenicity of this species and enable differentiation of P. hominis from other known or as-yet unidentified species of trichomonads that may infect cats.

  • use of a commercially available culture system for diagnosis of tritrichomonas foetus infection in cats
    Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association, 2003
    Co-Authors: Jody L Gookin, Derek M Foster, Matthew F Poore, Marty E Stebbins, Michael G Levy
    Abstract:

    Objective—To evaluate the efficacy of and optimize a commercially available culture system for sensitive and specific in-clinic culture of Tritrichomonas foetus from cat feces. Design—Prospective study. Sample Population—Samples of freshly voided feces from 117 purebred cats and pure cultures of T foetus obtained from a cat with chronic diarrhea. Procedure—Optimal conditions for use of the culture system, such as quantity of fecal inoculum (0.025 to 0.2 g) and cultivation temperature (25 or 37°C [98.6 or 77.0°F]), were determined. Specificity of the system was examined by attempted culture of Giardia lamblia and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Sensitivity of the system to detect T foetus was determined by inoculation of culture system pouches with serially diluted T foetus suspensions with and without feces. Results—Detection limit of the culture system was 1 and 1,000 T foetus organisms without and with feces from cats, respectively. Optimal fecal inoculum was < 0.1 g of feces. At 37°C, cultures yielded positi...

  • tritrichomonas foetus and not Pentatrichomonas hominis is the etiologic agent of feline trichomonal diarrhea
    Journal of Parasitology, 2003
    Co-Authors: Michael G Levy, Jody L Gookin, M H Poore, Adam J Birkenheuer, Michael J Dykstra, Wayne R Litaker
    Abstract:

    Recently, several investigators have reported large-bowel diarrhea in cats associated with intestinal trichomonad parasites. These reports have presumptively identified the flagellates as Pentatrichomonas hominis, an organism putatively capable of infecting the intestinal tracts of a number of mammalian hosts, including cats, dogs, and man. The purpose of the present study was to determine the identity of this recently recognized flagellate by means of rRNA gene sequence analysis; restriction enzyme digest mapping; and light, transmission, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Helena Lucia Carneiro Santos - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • intestinal parasite infections in a rural community of rio de janeiro brazil prevalence and genetic diversity of blastocystis subtypes
    PLOS ONE, 2018
    Co-Authors: Carolina Valenca Barbosa, Magali G M Barreto, Rosemary De Jesus Andrade, Fernando Campos Sodre, Claudia M Davilalevy, Jose Mauro Peralta, Ricardo Pereira Igreja, Heloisa Werneck De Macedo, Helena Lucia Carneiro Santos
    Abstract:

    Background Intestinal parasitic infections are considered a serious public health problem and widely distributed worldwide, mainly in urban and rural environments of tropical and subtropical countries. Globally, soil-transmitted helminths and protozoa are the most common intestinal parasites. Blastocystis sp. is a highly prevalent suspected pathogenic protozoan, and considered an unusual protist due to its significant genetic diversity and host plasticity. Methodology/main findings A total of 294 stool samples were collected from inhabitants of three rural valleys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stool samples were evaluated by parasitological methods, fecal culture, nested PCR and PCR/Sequencing. Overall prevalence by parasitological analyses was 64.3% (189 out of 294 cases). Blastocystis sp. (55.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by Endolimax nana (18.7%), Entamoeba histolytica complex (7.1%), hookworm infection (7.1%), Entomoeba coli (5.8%), Giardia intestinalis (4.1%), Iodamoeba butchilii (1.0%), Trichuris trichiura (1.0%), Pentatrichomonas hominis (0.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.7%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%). Prevalence of IPIs was significantly different by gender. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. and BLAST search revealed five different subtypes: ST3 (34.0%), ST1 (27.0%), ST2 (27.0%), ST4 (3.5%), ST8 (7.0%) and a non-identified subtype. Conclusions/significance Our findings demonstrate that intestinal parasite infection rates in rural areas of the Sumidouro municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are still high and remain a challenge to public health. Moreover, our data reveals significant genetic heterogeneity of Blastocystis sp. subtypes and a possible novel subtype, whose confirmation will require additional data. Our study contributes to the understanding of potential routes of transmission, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in rural areas both at a regional and global scale.

  • Intestinal parasite infections in a rural community of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil): Prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes.
    'Public Library of Science (PLoS)', 2018
    Co-Authors: Carolina Valenca Barbosa, Rosemary De Jesus Andrade, Jose Mauro Peralta, Ricardo Pereira Igreja, Heloisa Werneck De Macedo, Magali Muniz Barreto, Fernando Sodré, Claudia Masini D'avila-levy, Helena Lucia Carneiro Santos
    Abstract:

    Intestinal parasitic infections are considered a serious public health problem and widely distributed worldwide, mainly in urban and rural environments of tropical and subtropical countries. Globally, soil-transmitted helminths and protozoa are the most common intestinal parasites. Blastocystis sp. is a highly prevalent suspected pathogenic protozoan, and considered an unusual protist due to its significant genetic diversity and host plasticity.A total of 294 stool samples were collected from inhabitants of three rural valleys in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The stool samples were evaluated by parasitological methods, fecal culture, nested PCR and PCR/Sequencing. Overall prevalence by parasitological analyses was 64.3% (189 out of 294 cases). Blastocystis sp. (55.8%) was the most prevalent, followed by Endolimax nana (18.7%), Entamoeba histolytica complex (7.1%), hookworm infection (7.1%), Entomoeba coli (5.8%), Giardia intestinalis (4.1%), Iodamoeba butchilii (1.0%), Trichuris trichiura (1.0%), Pentatrichomonas hominis (0.7%), Enterobius vermicularis (0.7%), Ascaris lumbricoides (0.7%) and Strongyloides stercoralis (0.7%). Prevalence of IPIs was significantly different by gender. Phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis sp. and BLAST search revealed five different subtypes: ST3 (34.0%), ST1 (27.0%), ST2 (27.0%), ST4 (3.5%), ST8 (7.0%) and a non-identified subtype.Our findings demonstrate that intestinal parasite infection rates in rural areas of the Sumidouro municipality of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil are still high and remain a challenge to public health. Moreover, our data reveals significant genetic heterogeneity of Blastocystis sp. subtypes and a possible novel subtype, whose confirmation will require additional data. Our study contributes to the understanding of potential routes of transmission, epidemiology, and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in rural areas both at a regional and global scale