title: Epidemiologic Study of Blastocystis Infection in an Urban Community in the Philippines.
abstract: Blastocystis has been considered as the most common intestinal parasite in humans and has an augmented impact on public health. However, the prevalence of this parasite in the Philippines has not been determined. To contribute to a better understanding of the epidemiology of this infection, a cross-sectional study aimed at providing the first documented data on the prevalence and correlates, sociodemographic factors, hygiene practices, source of water supply, and dog ownership, associated with Blastocystis infection was carried out in randomly selected communities at Pateros, Metro Manila. Fecal samples from respondents were collected and cultured in diphasic agar medium for 3-7 days and examined using light microscopy. Of the 1,271 respondents, 12.98% (95% CI: 11.13-14.83) were detected positive for Blastocystis. Among the correlates of Blastocystis infection, dog ownership was found significantly associated as confirmed by multivariate analysis. Therefore, this factor should be considered in information to create awareness about Blastocystis and to prevent and control Blastocystis infection in particular and diarrheal diseases in general. Further studies using molecular approaches to distinguish subtype and to determine genetic characteristics of isolates from humans and dogs are recommended to analyze their relationship and provide more conclusive evidence of cross-transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, 1000 Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Maria Luz B
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Belleza
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, University of the Philippines, Ermita, 1000 Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Jessa Louise C
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Cadacio
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, 1000 Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Maridel P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Borja
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, 1000 Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Juan Antonio A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Solon
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of the Philippines, Los Baños, 4031 Laguna, Philippines.
authors.forename: Mildred A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Padilla
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, 1000 Manila, Philippines.
authors.forename: Pilarita N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Tongol-Rivera
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines ; Molecular Protozoology Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, 1101 Quezon City, Philippines.
authors.forename: Windell L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Rivera
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population; D055815:Young Adult