A rat model to study Blastocytis subtype 1 infections

Li, Juan; Deng, Ting; Li, X.; Cao, Gaolu; Li, Xiaobo; Yan, Yong-Bin

doi:10.1007/s00436-013-3536-7

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The organisms were most commonly identified in the caecum and colon histological sections, which corresponded to the PCR results. There was no associated pathology such as frank inflammation, epithelial damage, mucosal sloughing or lamina propria oedema as has been described previously in experimental animal infectivity models [17], [18], [37]. This lack of pathology was also observed in the preceding study on naturally infected pigs [29].…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

Location and Pathogenic Potential of Blastocystis in the Porcine Intestine

et al. 2014

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Blastocystis is an ubiquitous, enteric protozoan of humans and many other species. Human infection has been associated with gastrointestinal disease such as irritable bowel syndrome, however, this remains unproven. A relevant animal model is needed to investigate the pathogenesis/pathogenicity of Blastocystis. We concluded previously that pigs are likely natural hosts of Blastocystis with a potentially zoonotic, host-adapted subtype (ST), ST5, and may make suitable animal models. In this study, we aimed to characterise the host-agent interaction of Blastocystis and the pig, including localising Blastocystis in porcine intestine using microscopy, PCR and histopathological examination of tissues. Intestines from pigs in three different management systems, i.e., a commercial piggery, a small family farm and a research herd (where the animals were immunosuppressed) were examined. This design was used to determine if environment or immune status influences intestinal colonisation of Blastocystis as immunocompromised individuals may potentially be more susceptible to blastocystosis and development of associated clinical signs. Intestines from all 28 pigs were positive for Blastocystis with all pigs harbouring ST5. In addition, the farm pigs had mixed infections with STs 1 and/or 3. Blastocystis organisms/DNA were predominantly found in the large intestine but were also detected in the small intestine of the immunosuppressed and some of the farm pigs, suggesting that immunosuppression and/or husbandry factors may influence Blastocystis colonisation of the small intestine. No obvious pathology was observed in the histological sections. Blastocystis was present as vacuolar/granular forms and these were found within luminal material or in close proximity to epithelial cells, with no evidence of attachment or invasion. These results concur with most human studies, in which Blastocystis is predominantly found in the large intestine in the absence of significant organic pathology. Our findings also support the use of pigs as animal models and may have implications for blastocystosis diagnosis/treatment.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 85%

Location and Pathogenic Potential of Blastocystis in the Porcine Intestine

et al. 2014

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“…Regarding ST1 and ST2 isolates, both STs were detected with equal frequency in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups of our cohort (Chi square test, p = 0.845). However, ST1 was over-represented in groups of symptomatic individuals in previous epidemiological studies in China [59], Turkey [60], Iran [35], Egypt [21], and Lebanon [36]. Moreover, ST1 was the most prevalent ST in some cohorts presenting with IBS [38,61] and was shown to be pathogenic in rat models of blastocystosis [21].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Children of Senegal River Basin show the highest prevalence of Blastocystissp. ever observed worldwide

et al. 2014

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BackgroundBlastocystis sp. is currently the most common intestinal protist found in human feces and considered an emerging parasite with a worldwide distribution. Because of its potential impact in public health, we reinforced the picture of Blastocystis sp. prevalence and molecular subtype distribution in Africa by performing the first survey of this parasite in Senegal.MethodsStool samples from 93 symptomatic presenting with various gastrointestinal disorders or asymptomatic children living in three villages of the Senegal River Basin were tested for the presence of Blastocystis sp. by non-quantitative and quantitative PCR using primer pairs targeting the SSU rDNA gene. Positive samples were subtyped to investigate the frequency of Blastocystis sp. subtypes in our cohort and the distribution of subtypes in the symptomatic and asymptomatic groups of children.ResultsBy the use of molecular tools, all 93 samples were found to be positive for Blastocystis sp. indicating a striking parasite prevalence of 100%. Mixed infections by two or three subtypes were identified in eight individuals. Among a total of 103 subtyped isolates, subtype 3 was most abundant (49.5%) followed by subtype 1 (28.2%), subtype 2 (20.4%) and subtype 4 (1.9%). Subtype 3 was dominant in the symptomatic group while subtypes 1 and 2 were detected with equal frequency in both symptomatic and asymptomatic groups. The distribution of subtypes was compared with those available in other African countries and worldwide. Comparison confirmed that subtype 4 is much less frequently detected or absent in Africa while it is commonly found in Europe. Potential sources of Blastocystis sp. infection including human-to-human, zoonotic, and waterborne transmissions were also discussed.ConclusionsThe prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in our Senegalese population was the highest prevalence ever recovered worldwide for this parasite by reaching 100%. All cases were caused by subtypes 1, 2, 3 and 4 with a predominance of subtype 3. More than half of the children infected by Blastocystis sp. presented various gastrointestinal disorders. Such high prevalence of blastocystosis in developing countries makes its control a real challenge for public health authorities.

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“…One study highlighted the use of laboratory rats as a good animal model for Blastocystis infection. They showed how rats infected with ST1 showed histopathological changes at all the different doses given and suggested that ST1 infection has pathogenic potential with individual variation [57]. These studies show how animals can be used as a good model for pathogenicity but it is important to take in to consideration that mice are not naturally infected with Blastocystis unlike rats which are commonly found to harbour Blastocystis .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Update on the pathogenic potential and treatment options for Blastocystis sp

et al. 2014

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Although Blastocystis is one of the most common enteric parasites, there is still much controversy surrounding the pathogenicity and potential treatment options for this parasite. In this review we look at the evidence supporting Blastocystis as an intestinal pathogen as shown by numerous case studies and several in vivo studies and the evidence against. We describe the chronic nature of some infections and show the role of Blastocystis in immunocompromised patients and the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome and Blastocystis infection. There have been several studies that have suggested that pathogenicity may be subtype related. Metronidazole is the most widely accepted treatment for Blastocystis but several cases of treatment failure and resistance have been described. Other treatment options which have been suggested include paromomycin and trimethroprim- sulfamethoxazole.

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A rat model to study Blastocytis subtype 1 infections

Cited by 13 publications

References 34 publications

Location and Pathogenic Potential of Blastocystis in the Porcine Intestine

Location and Pathogenic Potential of Blastocystis in the Porcine Intestine

Children of Senegal River Basin show the highest prevalence of Blastocystissp. ever observed worldwide

Update on the pathogenic potential and treatment options for Blastocystis sp

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