Subtype distribution of Blastocystis in Thai-Myanmar border, Thailand.
Blastocystis sp. is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoa which has been classified into 17 subtypes (STs). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in villagers living on the Thai-Myanmar border, where the risk of parasitic infection is high. A total of 207 stool samples were collected and DNA was extracted. PCR and sequencing using primers targeting small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene were performed. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 37.2% (77/207). ST3 (19.8%; 41/207) was the predominant subtype, followed by ST1 (11.6%; 24/207), ST2 (5.3%; 11/207), and ST4 (0.5%; 1/207). A phylogenetic tree was reconstructed using the maximum likelihood (ML) method based on the Hasegawa-Kishino-Yano + G + I model. The percentage of bootstrapped trees in which the associated taxa clustered together was relatively high. Some sequences of Blastocystis positive samples (TK18, 39, 46, 71, and 90) were closely related to animals (pig and cattle) indicating zoonotic risks. Therefore, proper health education in parasitic prevention for the villagers should be promoted to improve their personal hygiene. Further longitudinal studies are required to monitor the prevalence of parasitic infections after providing health education and to investigate Blastocystis ST in animals living in these villages.
Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Supaluk
S
Popruk
Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Ruenruetai
R
Udonsom
Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Khuanchai
K
Koompapong
Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Aongart
A
Mahittikorn
Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Teera
T
Kusolsuk
Department of Medical Entomology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, 420/6 Ratchawithi Road, Bangkok, 10400, Thailand.
Jiraporn
J
Ruangsittichai
Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, 154 Rama I Road, Bangkok, Thailand.
Attakorn
A
Palasuwan
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000469:parasitology*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D002052:Myanmar; D010802:Phylogeny; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D012424:Rural Population; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D065288:Serogroup; D013785:Thailand; D055815:Young Adult
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
Blastocystis; Thai-Myanmar border; zoonotic risk