Molecular epidemiology of Blastocystis isolated from animals in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The enteric protist Blastocystis is one of the most frequently reported parasites infecting both humans and many other animal hosts worldwide. A remarkable genetic diversity has been observed in the species, with 17 different subtypes (STs) on a molecular phylogeny based on small subunit RNA genes (...

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Published in:	PloS one Vol. 14; no. 1; p. e0210740
Main Authors:	Valença-Barbosa, Carolina, do Bomfim, Teresa Cristina Bergamo, Teixeira, Bernardo Rodrigues, Gentile, Rosana, Neto, Sócrates Fraga da Costa, Magalhães, Bárbara Souza Neil, Balthazar, Daniel de Almeida, da Silva, Fabio Alves, Biot, Renata, d'Avila Levy, Claudia Masini, Santos, Helena Lúcia Carneiro
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	United States Public Library of Science 25-01-2019 Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Subjects:	Animals Biodiversity Biology and Life Sciences Birds Blastocyst Blastocystis Blastocystis - classification Blastocystis - genetics Brazil Computer and Information Sciences Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA DNA sequencing DNA, Protozoan - genetics DNA, Ribosomal - genetics Epidemiology Feces Gene sequencing Genetic aspects Genetic diversity Hogs Host specificity Laboratories Marsupials Molecular Epidemiology - methods National parks Parasites Parks & recreation areas People and places Phylogeny Primates Reptiles & amphibians Research and Analysis Methods Ribonucleic acid RNA Species diversity Vertebrates Zoonoses Brazil Rio de Janeiro Brazil
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Summary:	The enteric protist Blastocystis is one of the most frequently reported parasites infecting both humans and many other animal hosts worldwide. A remarkable genetic diversity has been observed in the species, with 17 different subtypes (STs) on a molecular phylogeny based on small subunit RNA genes (SSU rDNA). Nonetheless, information regarding its distribution, diversity and zoonotic potential remains still scarce, especially in groups other than primates. In Brazil, only a few surveys limited to human isolates have so far been conducted on Blastocystis STs. The aim of this study is to determine the occurrence of Blastocystis subtypes in non-human vertebrate and invertebrate animal groups in different areas of the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. A total of 334 stool samples were collected from animals representing 28 different genera. Blastocystis cultivated samples were subtyped using nuclear small subunit ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses and BLAST searches revealed six subtypes: ST5 (28.8%), ST2 (21.1%), ST1 and ST8 (19.2%), ST3 (7.7%) and ST4 (3.8%). Our findings indicate a considerable overlap between STs in humans and other animals. This highlights the importance of investigating a range of hosts for Blastocystis to understand the eco-epidemiological aspects of the parasite and its host specificity.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
ISSN:	1932-6203 1932-6203
DOI:	10.1371/journal.pone.0210740