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Molecular genotyping of Blastocystis spp. in wild mammals from Mexico

  • Genetics, Evolution, and Phylogeny - Original Paper
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Abstract

Blastocystis spp. are common intestinal parasites found worldwide in humans and a wide range of animals. They exhibit extensive genetic diversity; currently, 17 subtypes (STs) and some groups called non-mammalian and avian STs (NMASTs) have been proposed. In addition, a large variety of animals have been reported as hosts of the parasite, and new hosts and STs are still being described. In this study, Blastocystis infection of wild animals in two sylvatic areas of Mexico was surveyed. Of one hundred twenty-four fecal samples, six were positive for Blastocystis: specifically, one sample from an opossum, one sample from a bat, and four samples from different species of rodents. ST4, ST17, and nucleotide sequences similar to Blastocystis lapemi were identified based on SSU rDNA sequences. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate species poorly or not previously evaluated for Blastocystis infection. Mammals having different niches and geographical distribution were infected with similar genetic type of Blastocystis, so that we suggest that local water or food sources could play an important role in Blastocystis transmission and ST maintenance in wild animals. Additionally, there are STs with scarce genetic variation, suggesting that they could be highly adapted to their hosts. These data contribute to our understanding of the host range and genetic diversity of Blastocystis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología de Agentes Patógenos, Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González, C.P. 14080, Mexico City, Mexico

    Fernando Martinez-Hernandez, Eduardo Lopez-Escamilla, Pablo Maravilla & Guiehdani Villalobos

  2. Laboratorio de Entomología Médica, Centro Universitario del Sur, Universidad de Guadalajara, C.P. 49000, Ciudad Guzmán, Jalisco, Mexico

    Jose Alejandro Martinez-Ibarra

  3. Laboratorio de Ecología del Paisaje y Cambio Global, Centro de Investigación para la Conservación y Aprovechamiento de Recursos Tropicales, Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco, C.P. 86150, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico

    Claudia Villanueva-Garcia

  4. Departamento de Producción Agrícola y Animal, Universidad Autónoma Metropolitana, Unidad Xochimilco, C.P. 04960, Mexico City, Mexico

    Claudia Irais Muñoz-Garcia & Emilio Rendon-Franco

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  1. Fernando Martinez-Hernandez
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  2. Jose Alejandro Martinez-Ibarra
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  3. Eduardo Lopez-Escamilla
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  4. Claudia Villanueva-Garcia
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  5. Claudia Irais Muñoz-Garcia
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  6. Emilio Rendon-Franco
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  7. Pablo Maravilla
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  8. Guiehdani Villalobos
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Correspondence to Pablo Maravilla or Guiehdani Villalobos.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. Sampling and procedures were in accordance with the provisions of the Regulations of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry with the license numbers SGPA/DGVS/04726/13 and FAUT-0250.

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Martinez-Hernandez, F., Martinez-Ibarra, J.A., Lopez-Escamilla, E. et al. Molecular genotyping of Blastocystis spp. in wild mammals from Mexico. Parasitol Res 119, 97–104 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-019-06530-4

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