Epidemiology and Prevalence ofBlastocystisspp. in North Cyprus.
AbstractThis study was conducted to investigate the prevalence ofBlastocystisspp. and its subtypes (STs) in North Cyprus; and to evaluate the presence of this parasite and its STs with respect to demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors, as well as gastrointestinal symptoms. Stool samples were collected from 230 volunteers. Each participant also filled out a questionnaire. The samples were examined microscopically by native-Lugol and trichrome methods and further tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. Prevalence ofBlastocystisspp. infection was found to be 10.5%, 10.5%, and 27.8%, by direct microscopy, trichrome method, and PCR, respectively. No other parasites were detected in the specimens exceptGiardiaspp. (n= 2; 0.8%) andEntamoeba coli(n= 1; 0.4%). The most commonBlastocystisSTs were ST3 (20; 31.2%), ST2 (18; 28.2%), ST1 (8; 12.5%), and ST4 (7; 11%); whereas other STs were identified as ST6 (3; 4.7%), ST7 (2; 3.2%), and non-ST (6; 9.4%). Presence ofBlastocystisspp. and its STs was not significantly related to any of the demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors. Furthermore, no significant association ofBlastocystisspp. and its STs with gastrointestinal symptoms was found. This study is the first investigation of the epidemiology ofBlastocystisspp. in North Cyprus. Distribution ofBlastocystisspp. and its STs among demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors showed complete homogeneity. Presence of the parasite and its STs was not significantly related with the gastrointestinal symptoms among symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. These findings suggest thatBlastocystisspp. may be part of the intestinal flora in humans.
Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.|Faculty of Health Sciences, Girne American University, Kyrenia, Cyprus.
Ayse
A
Seyer
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
Djursun
D
Karasartova
Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Emrah
E
Ruh
Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.|Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
Ayse Semra
AS
Güreser
Department of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
Ebru
E
Turgal
Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Turgut
T
Imir
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.|Department of Medical Microbiology and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aysegul
A
Taylan-Ozkan
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016844:Blastocystis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016776:Blastocystis Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002648:Child; D003535:Cyprus / Q000453:epidemiology; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012703:Serotyping
D016054:DNA, Protozoan