Molecular Epidemiology of Blastocystis in Lebanon and Correlation between Subtype 1 and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Safadi, Dima El; Meloni, Dionigia; Poirier, Philippe; Osman, Marwan; Cian, Amandine; Gaayeb, Lobna; Wawrzyniak, Ivan; Delbac, Frédéric; Alaoui, Hicham El; Delhaès, Laurence; Dei‐Cas, Eduardo; Mallat, Hassan; Dabboussi, Fouad; Hamzé, Monzer; Viscogliosi, Éric

doi:10.4269/ajtmh.12-0777

Cited by 53 publications

(47 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…Comparison of our findings with those from other Middle Eastern and North African countries showed that the prevalence reported in UAE was higher compared with that reported in Jordan (25%), Libya (30%), and Lebanon (19%) (Nimri, 1993;Al-Fellani et al, 2007;El Safadi et al, 2013). These differences were probably due to differences in methods used.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

“…It has long been suggested that the pathogenesis of Blastocystis sp. may be dependent upon ST, but recent epidemiological data remain contradictory (El Safadi et al, 2013;Clark et al, 2013). Consequently, information on the prevalence of the parasite and the distribution of STs is beginning to emerge in still poorly studied geographic areas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in healthy individuals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

AbuOdeh

Ezzedine

Samie

et al. 2016

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 77%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in healthy individuals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

AbuOdeh

Ezzedine

Samie

et al. 2016

Infection, Genetics and Evolution

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“…isolates were finally classified into subtypes (ST1-ST17), which colonize a wide range of hosts, including humans and animals, both mammalian and non-mammalian [10,42]. Nine of 17 STs have been identified in humans, and one recent working hypotheses is that differences in clinical consequence may depend on differences in subtypes.…”

Section: Pathogenicity Of Blastocystis Sp Is a Relationship Possiblementioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Blastocystis

Skotarczak¹

2018

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Blastocystis is a unicellular, anaerobic protist which lives in the intestinal tract of diverse animals, including humans. It was found that the host specificity and the pathogenic potential of different isolates are correlated with sequence variations in the SSU-rRNA gene. Identification of the organism to the species level is still an unresolved challenge. Genetic diversity revisions have led to the identification of 17 subtypes (STs) within the Blastocystis genus, and 9 (ST1 to ST9) have been reported in humans with varying prevalence. Since the members of the genus revealed a large genetic diversity, several molecular modalities of subtyping methods have been developed. Numerous studies on conveying the pathogenic potential to the molecular subtypes are available, but they could not be compared or analysed with the different molecular techniques employed. The use of different approaches may give false positives during diagnosis and the possibility of missed infections. A review of recent scientific literature indicates that the development of PCR assays is needed for molecular epidemiology and for mixed infections in health and disease cohorts, and also to help identify sources of Blastocystis transmission to humans, as well as to identify potential animal and environmental reservoirs. This review summarizes some of the recent progress and improvements in Blastocystis research on genetic diversity, taxonomy, molecular epidemiology, pathogenicity and subtyping methods.

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“…There are also variations in drug sensitivities (13,14). Some researchers have suggested that symptomatology is dictated by ST identity (15).…”

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confidence: 99%

Blastocystis Isolate B Exhibits Multiple Modes of Resistance against Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37

2016

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Blastocystis is one of the most common eukaryotic organisms found in humans and many types of animals. Several reports have identified its role in gastrointestinal disorders, although its pathogenicity is yet to be clarified. Blastocystis is transmitted via the fecal-to-oral route and colonizes the large intestines. Epithelial cells lining the intestine secrete antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), including beta-defensins and cathelicidin, as a response to infection. This study explores the effects of host colonic antimicrobial peptides, particularly LL-37, a fragment of cathelicidin, on different Blastocystis subtypes. Blastocystis is composed of several subtypes that have genetic, metabolic, and biological differences. These subtypes also have various outcomes in terms of drug treatment and immune response. In this study, Blastocystis isolates from three different subtypes were found to induce intestinal epithelial cells to secrete LL-37. We also show that among the antimicrobial peptides tested, only LL-37 has broad activity on all the subtypes. LL-37 causes membrane disruption and causes Blastocystis to change shape. Blastocystis subtype 7 (ST7), however, showed relative resistance to LL-37. An isolate, ST7 isolate B (ST7-B), from this subtype releases proteases that can degrade the peptide. It also makes the environment acidic, which causes attenuation of LL-37 activity. The Blastocystis ST7-B isolate was also observed to have a thicker surface coat, which may protect the parasite from direct killing by LL-37. This study determined the effects of LL-37 on different Blastocystis isolates and indicates that AMPs have significant roles in Blastocystis infections. Blastocystis is an intestinal protistan parasite commonly detected in humans and many types of animals (1, 2). This organism is classified under the stramenopiles, although it lacks chloroplasts or structures for locomotion, which are common features of many members of this group. Blastocystis is widely distributed throughout the world. Parasitological surveys usually place Blastocystis as the most common eukaryotic parasite detected (3,4). This organism has a global distribution and has numerous animal hosts. There is little host specificity for this organism, and there are reports indicating the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis (5). This organism, in its cyst form, is transmitted via the fecal-tooral route. It then colonizes the large intestine and is excysted to its various forms. These forms may appear vacuolar, multivacuolar, avacuolar, or granular under a light microscope. Blastocystis has been implicated in a number of intestinal disorders, although its pathogenesis is yet to be elucidated. There are few reports associating it with gastrointestinal disease, the most common symptoms of which are diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, and urticaria (1, 5-7). Blastocystis is a species complex that is comprised of up to 19 subtypes (STs), with ST1 to ST9 having been isolated from humans (8). Recently, a report found that ST12 and another possible novel ST also in...

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Molecular Epidemiology of Blastocystis in Lebanon and Correlation between Subtype 1 and Gastrointestinal Symptoms

Cited by 53 publications

References 31 publications

Prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in healthy individuals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in healthy individuals in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates

Genetic diversity and pathogenicity of Blastocystis

Blastocystis Isolate B Exhibits Multiple Modes of Resistance against Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37

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