First Molecular Identification and Subtyping of Blastocystis sp. in the Most Consumed Edible Marine Fish of Iran: A Foodborne Concern

• Published in: Acta parasitologica Vol. 69; no. 1; pp. 446 - 452
• Main Authors: Asghari, Ali, Banavand, Shaghayegh, Akhlaghzadeh, Maryam, Shamsi, Laya, Hatam, Gholamreza
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing 01-03-2024; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography; Animals; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Blastocystis; Blastocystis - classification; Blastocystis - genetics; Blastocystis - isolation & purification; Blastocystis Infections - epidemiology; Blastocystis Infections - parasitology; Blastocystis Infections - veterinary; Ecology; Fish; Fish Diseases - epidemiology; Fish Diseases - parasitology; Fishes - parasitology; Foodborne Diseases - epidemiology; Foodborne Diseases - parasitology; Genetic diversity; Genetic variation; Geographical distribution; Humans; Iran - epidemiology; Mackerel; Marine fish; Marine fishes; Marine mammals; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Microscopy; Nucleotide sequence; Original Paper; Parasitology; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Seafood - parasitology; Zoonoses; Iran; Subtypes; Fish; Persian Gulf; Prevalence; Iran; sp; Blastocystis sp
• ISSN: 1230-2821; 1896-1851; 1896-1851
• DOI: 10.1007/s11686-023-00769-9

Purpose
The presence of
Blastocystis
sp. is commonly observed in humans and different animals, displaying a wide range of genetic variations with the discovery of multiple subtypes (STs). However, the prevalence and distribution of these STs in edible marine fish and marine mammals remain uncertain. This study marks the first survey conducted in Iran and the second global molecular investigation to examine the occurrence and STs distribution of
Blastocystis
in various species of edible marine fish.
Methods
This study screened 200 fresh intestinal contents from 10 well-known fish species (Narrow-barred mackerel, Indo-pacific king mackerel, Tigertooth croaker, Silver pomfret, Black pomfret, Longtail tuna, John's snapper, Blackspotted croaker, Four-finger threadfin, and Javelin grunter) in southern Iran, caught in the Persian Gulf. All collected samples were evaluated by microscopy and SSU–PCR methods.
Results
Based on both microscopy and PCR, the overall prevalence of
Blastocystis
sp. in evaluated fish species was 2% (4/200). In brief,
Blastocystis
sp. was reported from Narrow-barred mackerel [10% (2/20)], Silver pomfret [5% (1/20)], and Tigertooth croaker [5% (1/20)]. Interestingly, among infected fish species three zoonotic STs (ST1, ST2, and ST7) were identified. ST2 was the most predominant ST [50% (2/4)], followed by ST1 and ST7, one sample each [5% (1/20)].
Conclusion
Overall, the prevalence and STs distribution of
Blastocystis
in edible marine fish along with the possibility of its zoonotic transmission are still open to question and require extensive and more detailed studies.