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The role and influence of bacteria on the growth of Blastocystis sp. subtype 3

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Abstract

Blastocystis sp. is an enteric protistan parasite that affects individuals worldwide with gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, and flatulence. However, its pathogenicity is controversial due to its presence among asymptomatic individuals. Blastocystis sp. subtype 3 (ST3) is the most prevalent subtype among humans that have been associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and colorectal cancer. Axenization of the parasite has been shown to impede its growth thus revealing the importance of accompanying bacteria in ensuring Blastocystis sp. survival. This study aims to identify the influence of accompanying bacteria on the growth of Blastocystis sp. ST3. Blastocystis sp. cultures were treated with Meropenem, Vancomycin, and Amoxicillin-Clavulanic acid (Augmentin). Bacteria-containing supernatant of antibiotic-treated and control cultures were isolated and identified through 16 s rRNA sequencing. Morphological changes of antibiotic-treated Blastocystis sp. ST3 were also observed. The cultures treated with meropenem and augmentin exhibited opposing effects with reduced growth of isolates from symptomatic patients and a significant increase in asymptomatic isolates. Whereas, vancomycin-treated cultures had no difference in the growth of Blastocystis sp. ST3 isolates from symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Isolates from symptomatic and asymtomatic patients had 6 and 2 distinct bacterial species identified with Proteus mirabilis as the common bacteria among both types of isolates. Morphologically, Blastocystis sp. ST3 cultures exposed to meropenem and augmentin demonstrated an increase in pre-cystic forms. These findings demonstrate the effects of accompanying bacteria on the growth of Blastocystis sp. ST3 that could translate into clinical manifestations observed among Blastocystis sp.-infected patients.

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Funding

This work was funded by the Trans-disciplinary Research Grant Scheme (TRGS) (Grant No: TRGS/1/2018/UM/01/7/3) of the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE), Malaysia.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Christina Parvinder Kaur, Arutchelvan Rajamanikam, Chandramathi Samudi & Kavilasha Venugopal

  2. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Chia Chai Yong

  3. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Arutchelvan Rajamanikam & Suresh Kumar

  4. Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Subha Bhassu & Saharuddin Mohamad

  5. Faculty of Computer Science & Information Technology, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Sameem Abdul Kareem

Authors
  1. Christina Parvinder Kaur
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  2. Chia Chai Yong
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  3. Arutchelvan Rajamanikam
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  4. Chandramathi Samudi
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Contributions

Christina Parvinder Kaur, Arutchelvan Rajamanikam, Chia Chai Yong, Suresh Kumar, and Chandramathi Samudi Raju designed the study; Chia Chai Yong and Arutchelvan Rajamanikam performed the isolation and subtyping of Blastocystis sp. from stool specimens; Christina Parvinder Kaur and Chia Chai Yong performed the antibiotic exposure of Blastocystis sp, accompanying bacteria isolation and 16 s rRNA species identification; Christina Parvinder Kaur, Chia Chai Yong, Subha Bhassu, Saharuddin Mohamad, Sameem Abdul Kareem, Suresh Kumar, and Chandramathi Samudi Raju analyzed and interpreted the data; Christina Parvinder Kaur, Chia Chai Yong, Kavilasha Venugopal, and Chandramathi Samudi Raju prepared the main manuscript; Chia Chai Yong prepared all the figures and tables, and all authors reviewed and edited the manuscript. All authors approved the final manuscript version.

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Correspondence to Chandramathi Samudi.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Ethical approval was obtained from UMMC Medical Ethics Committee based on the Declaration of Helsinki 1975 (Ethics Reference Number:201914–6975).

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Kaur, C.P., Yong, C.C., Rajamanikam, A. et al. The role and influence of bacteria on the growth of Blastocystis sp. subtype 3. Parasitol Res 122, 1463–1474 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-023-07842-2

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