ARS | Publication request: Development of a new PCR protocol to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. from humans and animals

Submitted to: Parasitology Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: December 14, 2010
Publication Date: July 6, 2011
Citation: Santin, M., Gomez-Munoz, M., Solano Aguilar, G., Fayer, R. 2011. Development of a new PCR protocol to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. from humans and animals. Parasitology Research. 109(1):205-212.

Interpretive Summary: Blastocystis is one of the most common human intestinal parasites found in humans worldwide. Infection has been reported as asymptomatic, acute symptomatic, and chronic symptomatic. Blastocystis has also been identified in a wide range of animals suggesting its zoonotic potential. Application of molecular methods has shown remarkable genetic diversity among specimens from both human and animals. The present study was undertaken to design, test, and select primers that target a region of the SSU rDNA gene that would facilitate detection and identification of subtypes of Blastocystis in human and animal feces. This PCR was used to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. specimens from naturally infected humans, primates, cattle, pigs, and chickens. Based on these findings, application of this method can elucidate the complexity of this heterogeneous genus and its role in human and animal disease as well as its zoonotic potential.

Technical Abstract: Blastocystis spp. is commonly found in the feces of humans worldwide. Infection has been reported as asymptomatic, acute symptomatic, and chronic symptomatic. This wide range of responses to infection could be related to the genetic diversity of morphologically indistinguishable specimens obtained from infected hosts. The former name Blastocystis hominis is now reported as Blastocystis spp. because of its genetic diversity. Blastocystis is recognized as a complex of subtypes that have not been fully characterized as independent species. The finding of Blastocystis spp. in feces from several animal species suggests a zoonotic potential. Based on conserved regions of published nucleotide SSU rDNA sequences from all Blastocystis subtypes found in GenBank, a PCR and sequencing protocol was developed. The ~500 bp SSU rDNA gene fragment amplified by this PCR is highly sensitive compared with published primers and contains highly variable regions that allow phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis. These primers were used to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. specimens from naturally infected humans, primates, cattle, pigs, and chickens. Based on these findings, application of this method can elucidate the complexity of this heterogeneous genus and its role in human and animal disease as well as its zoonotic potential.