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Distribution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Subtypes and Alleles of Blastocystis sp. in the Stool Samples Collected from Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints in İzmir, Turkey

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Abstract

Purpose

Blastocystis sp. is one of the most prevalent intestinal protozoa found in humans and many other animals. The present study aimed to examine the distribution and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal complaints in İzmir, Turkey.

Methods

All stool samples of 439 patients with gastrointestinal complaints were examined by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. To investigate the presence of Blastocystis sp. in stool samples, DNA was isolated, and PCR was performed with the barcode region in the SSU rRNA gene. PCR positive samples were sequenced to identify subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp.

Results

The prevalence of Blastocystis sp. was found to be 16.6% (73/439) in patients with gastrointestinal complaints in İzmir, Turkey. Three different Blastocystis sp. subtypes were identified. ST3 (28/55; 51.0%) was the most common subtype followed by ST2 (19/55; 34.5%) and ST1 (8/55; 14.5%). Itching and diarrhea were the most prominent clinical symptoms in Blastocystis sp. positive patients. When clinical symptoms and subtypes were compared, diarrhea was found in 62.5%, 47.4%, and 46.4% of patients with ST1, ST2, and ST3 subtypes, respectively. In addition, itching was found in 37.5%, 32.1%, and 21.1% of patients with ST1, ST3, and ST2, respectively. Six distinct alleles were identified by allele analysis of Blastocystis 18S rRNA gene: allele 4 for ST1, alleles 9, 11, and 12 for ST2, and alleles 34 and 36 for ST3. In this study, Blastocystis sp. was detected in 16 of 21 districts, including the central and rural districts of İzmir. Although ST1 was detected in central districts, it was not found in rural districts.

Conclusion

This study provides comprehensive data on the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of the genetic diversity at the level of subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp. in different districts of İzmir province in Turkey. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which evaluates the distribution of subtypes and alleles of Blastocystis sp. according to PCR and SSU rRNA gene sequencing in patients with gastrointestinal complaints in different districts of İzmir province in Turkey.

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Data availability

The datasets generated in the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request. New molecular sequences produced for the study are available in GenBank.

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Acknowledgements

We thank all the patients who participated in the study. This study was partly supported by the grant given by the Scientific Research Projects Branch Directorate of Ege University, Turkey (Grant number: 13-TIP-092).

Funding

This study was partly supported by the grant given by the Scientific Research Projects Branch Directorate of Ege University, Turkey (Grant number: 13-TIP-092).

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  1. Mehmet Aykur

    Present address: Department of Parasitology, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, Faculty of Medicine, PO Box 60030, Tokat, Turkey

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

    Mehmet Aykur, Derya Dirim Erdogan & Hande Dagci

  2. Department of Medical Biology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

    Cansu Calıskan Kurt, Cıgır Biray Avcı & Cumhur Gunduz

  3. Department of Gastroenterology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

    Rukiye Vardar

  4. Department of Microbiology, Ege University, Faculty of Medicine, İzmir, Turkey

    Sohret Aydemir

  5. Department of Parasitology, Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Manisa, Turkey

    Nogay Girginkardesler

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Aykur, M., Calıskan Kurt, C., Dirim Erdogan, D. et al. Distribution and Phylogenetic Analysis of Subtypes and Alleles of Blastocystis sp. in the Stool Samples Collected from Patients with Gastrointestinal Complaints in İzmir, Turkey. Acta Parasit. 68, 304–316 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11686-023-00665-2

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