title: Subtype analysis of Blastocystis sp. isolates from asymptomatic individuals in an urban community in the Philippines
abstract: Blastocystis sp. is a commonly reported enteric protistan parasite in faecal specimens with a worldwide distribution afflicting both humans and a wide range of animals. The aim of this study is to characterize the subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis sp. isolates from asymptomatic individuals in an urban community in Pateros, Metro Manila, Philippines. The 600-bp small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) barcoding region of Blastocystis sp. isolates was amplified and sequenced using the primers RD5 and BhRDr. Subtypes were identified by uploading the sequences onto the Basic Local Alignment and Search Tool (BLAST) websites, the Blastocystis Subtype (18S) and Sequence Typing (MLST) Database and by construction of a phylogenetic tree. Twenty-nine (29) out of 35 individuals were detected positive for Blastocystis sp. ST3 is the most common among the three STs detected (65.5%), followed by ST1 (31.0%) and ST4 (3.44%). This study showed that DNA barcoding can serve as a helpful tool to investigate the diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Philippines.
authors: Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines|Molecular Protozoology Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
authors: Davin Edric V.
authors: DE
authors: Adao
authors: Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
authors: Ace O.
authors: AO
authors: Dela Serna
authors: Department of Parasitology, College of Public Health, University of the Philippines, Ermita, Manila 1000, Philippines
authors: Maria Luz B.
authors: ML
authors: Belleza
authors: Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines|Molecular Protozoology Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
authors: Nicole R.
authors: NR
authors: Bolo
authors: Institute of Biology, College of Science, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines|Molecular Protozoology Laboratory, Natural Sciences Research Institute, University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
authors: Windell L.
authors: WL
authors: Rivera
mesh_terms: D016844:Blastocystis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006801:Humans; D010679:Philippines / Q000453:epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: DNA barcoding; SSU rRNA gene; Blastocystis; subtypes; Philippines