Background: Blastocystis spp. is a unique enteric parasite commonly found in the intestines of humans and animals. In humans, prevalence up to 60% has been reported in tropical, subtropical, and developing countries. Currently 26 subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis have been described based on sequence analysis, 9 were reported in humans. Objectives: The aim of the work was to determine the different genotypes of Blastocystis spp. in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals in Alexandria city, Egypt. Subjects and Methods: Examination of 100 stool samples was performed to detect Blastocystis collected from patients complaining of gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances and asymptomatic individuals. PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis (PCR-RFLP) and sequencing of amplified products was performed for Blastocystis subtyping. Results: Out of 47 fecal samples positive only for Blastocystis spp. by microscopy, 39 patients presented with symptoms and 8 were asymptomatic participants. Blastocystis small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) was successfully amplified from 27 samples; 24/39 symptomatic and 3/8 asymptomatic. Among symptomatic patients, four STs were identified; ST3 was the most common (55%) followed by ST1 (20%), ST4 (15%) and ST2 (10%). While ST2 and ST4 were identified only in patients having GI symptoms, ST1 and ST3 were found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic participants. Amplicons of 7 samples from symptomatic patients were not digested after incubation with the restriction enzymes and could not be genotyped. Conclusion:Genotyping of Blastocystis spp. from fecal samples revealed the presence of four different subtypes: ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 with predominance of ST3. No statistically significant association could be observed between Blastocystis STs and clinical presentation of the studied subjects.RFLP analysis of Blastocystis spp.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.