title: Subtype identification of human Blastocystis spp. isolated from Lao People's Democratic Republic.
abstract: Blastocystis sp. is the most common protist found in the intestinal tract of humans and animals. Blastocystis subtypes (STs) are classified based on the molecular phylogeny of the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA). At least 17 Blastocystis STs have been reported and, of these, STs 1-9 have been found in humans. This study revealed the presence of human Blastocystis STs in Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR). Fecal samples were collected from apparently healthy people from the central province of Khammouane and the southern province of Champasak. Fresh fecal samples, found to be positive for Blastocystis using microscopy, were individually cultured in Jones' medium and each sample was used for the amplification and sequencing of a fragment of SSU rDNA. BLAST searches and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the distribution of four Blastocystis STs: ST1 (64%), ST2 (8%), ST3 (24%) and ST7 (4%). This is the first report to provide molecular data revealing the prevalence of Blastocystis STs in apparently healthy people from Lao PDR.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakram University, Maha Sarakram, Thailand.
authors.forename: Oranuch
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sanpool
authors.affiliation: Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Centre of Malariology, Parasitology and Entomology, Ministry of Health, Vientiane, Lao Democratic People's Republic.
authors.forename: Sakhone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Laymanivong
authors.affiliation: Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Faculty of Medicine, Mahasarakram University, Maha Sarakram, Thailand.
authors.forename: Tongjit
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thanchomnang
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Rutchanee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rodpai
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Lakkhana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sadaow
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Issarapong
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Phosuk
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wanchai
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Maleewong
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research and Diagnostic Center for Emerging Infectious Diseases, Mekong Health Science Institue, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand. Electronic address: pewpan@kku.ac.th.
authors.forename: Pewpan M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Intapan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002648:Child; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007812:Laos / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004275:DNA, Ribosomal
keywords: Blastocystis subtype; Lao People's Democratic Republic; PCR; Phylogenetic tree