Recent advances in Blastocystis hominis research: hot spots in terra incognita

Tan, Kevin S. W.; Singh, Mulkit; Yap, E. H.

doi:10.1016/s0020-7519(02)00005-x

Cited by 123 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 130 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

108

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…New species designations in the Blastocystis genus were proposed for isolates from different nonhuman hosts (8,11,34,41) on the basis of questionable criteria, such as differences in the hosts of origin, growth characteristics, and electrophoretic karyotypes. However, it is clear that these differences alone are not sufficient for the proposal of new species (23,36,39,44). On the other hand, the genetic diversity observed in this work, as in previous molecular studies (1,7,29,43,49,50), among Blastocystis isolates strongly suggests that the genus consists of several species.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 43%

Molecular Phylogenies of Blastocystis Isolates from Different Hosts: Implications for Genetic Diversity, Identification of Species, and Zoonosis

et al. 2005

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequences were obtained by PCR from 12 Blastocystis isolates from humans, rats, and reptiles for which elongation factor 1␣ (EF-1␣) gene sequences are already available. These new sequences were analyzed by the Bayesian method in a broad phylogeny including, for the first time, all Blastocystis sequences available in the databases. Phylogenetic trees identified seven well-resolved groups plus several discrete lineages that could represent newly defined clades. Comparative analysis of SSU rRNA-and EF-1␣-based trees obtained by maximum-likelihood methods from a restricted sampling (13 isolates) revealed overall agreement between the two phylogenies. In spite of their morphological similarity, sequence divergence among Blastocystis isolates reflected considerable genetic diversity that could be correlated with the existence of potentially >12 different species within the genus. Based on this analysis and previous PCR-based genotype classification data, six of these major groups might consist of Blastocystis isolates from both humans and other animal hosts, confirming the low host specificity of Blastocystis. Our results also strongly suggest the existence of numerous zoonotic isolates with frequent animal-to-human and human-to-animal transmissions and of a large potential reservoir in animals for infections in humans.

show abstract

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 43%

Molecular Phylogenies of Blastocystis Isolates from Different Hosts: Implications for Genetic Diversity, Identification of Species, and Zoonosis

et al. 2005

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Items have been carefully selected based on a rigorous item analysis for their universality and appropriateness for Spanish-speaking 7 The parasite count does not include Blastocystis Hominis (BH). The reason for excluding this parasite is that cement floors do not intercept the transmission of this parasite as it is transmitted through other mechanisms (see Kevin S. W. Tan, Mulkit Singh and Eu Hian Yap (2002)). Indeed, there are no statistically significant differences between the prevalence of BH in the treatment and control groups.…”

Section: Datamentioning

confidence: 99%

Housing, Health, and Happiness

Cattaneo

Galiani

Gertler

et al. 2009

American Economic Journal: Economic Policy

128

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

We investigate the impact of a large-scale Mexican program to replace dirt floors with cement floors on child health and adult happiness. We find that replacing dirt floors with cement significantly improves the health of young children measured by decreases in the incidence of parasitic infestations, diarrhea, and the prevalence of anemia, and an improvement in children's cognitive development. Additionally, we find significant improvements in adult welfare measured by increased satisfaction with their housing and quality of life, as well as by lower scores on depression and perceived stress scales. (JEL I12, I31, J13, O15)

show abstract

“…1 Blastocystis is the most common parasite isolated from human stool samples in developing and developed countries. 2,3 Rates of infection vary from 3.3% in developed countries 4 to 53.8% in developing countries. 5 Blastocystis is found in humans and animals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of Microscopy, Culture, and Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Blastocystis sp. in Clinical Stool Samples

Roberts¹,

Barratt²,

Harkness³

et al. 2011

The American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

111

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Abstract. We tested 513 stool samples from patients in Sydney, Australia for Blastocystis by using five diagnostic techniques: microscopy of a permanently stained smear using a modified iron-hematoxylin stain, two xenic culture systems (a modified Boeck and Drbohlav's medium and tryptone, yeast extract, glucose, methionine-9 medium), and two published conventional polymerase chain reaction methods specific for the small subunit ribosomal DNA. Ninety-eight (19%) samples were positive for Blastocystis in one or more of the diagnostic techniques. The PCR 2 method was the most sensitive at detecting Blastocystis with a sensitivity of 94%, and the least sensitive was microscopy of the permanent stain (48%). Subtype 3 was the most predominant subtype (present in 43% of samples assigned to this group). This study highlights the low sensitivity of microscopy when used as the sole diagnostic modality for detection of Blastocystis sp.

show abstract

Recent advances in Blastocystis hominis research: hot spots in terra incognita

Cited by 123 publications

References 130 publications

Molecular Phylogenies of Blastocystis Isolates from Different Hosts: Implications for Genetic Diversity, Identification of Species, and Zoonosis

Molecular Phylogenies of Blastocystis Isolates from Different Hosts: Implications for Genetic Diversity, Identification of Species, and Zoonosis

Housing, Health, and Happiness

Comparison of Microscopy, Culture, and Conventional Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Blastocystis sp. in Clinical Stool Samples

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About