Blastocystis and its pathogenic potential: latest aspects

Vassalos, Constantine M; Vakalis, Nicholas; Papadopoulou, Chrissanthy

doi:10.1097/mrm.0b013e32832d87ec

Cited by 8 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…Taken together, these observations are consistent with an ongoing carriage of Blastocystis, as speculated previously. 19 Whether Blastocystis species infections are asymptomatic or symptomatic might be affected by an interplay of host and parasitic factors, as in other enteric parasitic infections. 12,19 The presence of the amoeboid forms may possibly represent situations in which physicochemical properties in the sample favor the development of amoeboid Poor compliance to metronidazole treatment should be also taken into account.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This may be indicative of a specific situation in the gut. 19 However, there may also be intrasubtype variability. A recent study using in vivo rat models has shown pathogenic and nonpathogenic variants within subtypes 3 and 4.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Immobile irregular amoeboid forms of Blastocystis (with extension or retraction of pseudopods, which show no movement but appear to engulf, and with possible inclusions) were observed live, recorded, stained, and differentiated from round-or irregular-shaped forms of this parasite containing a vacuole (vacuolated) or granules (granular). 3,19 The remainder of each sample was stored frozen after collection and used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR)based detection of Blastocystis, and subtype assignment was performed using single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis and sequencing, as described previously. 15 This method is routinely applied by our laboratory for detection and subtyping of Blastocystis.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differences in Clinical Significance and Morphologic Features ofBlastocystissp Subtype 3

et al. 2010

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Blastocystis is a polymorphic intestinal parasite that is common in humans. A total of 51 asymptomatic and symptomatic patients positive for Blastocystis only were included in the study. Symptoms were mainly nonspecific gastrointestinal symptoms. Blastocystis isolates were xenically cultured and subtyped. Blastocystis species subtype 3 was the predominant subtype. Intrasubtype differences (vacuolar/amoeboid presence) in subtype 3 morphotypes were observed in 32 asymptomatic and symptomatic subtype 3 cases and could possibly be related to Blastocystis pathogenic potential. Diverse morphologic features (vacuolar transiting to amoeboid), probably reflecting the progression from an asymptomatic to a symptomatic state, were observed in an asymptomatic subtype 3 carrier who later had symptoms. Searching for amoeboid forms might be helpful to presumptively screen symptomatic patients with subtype 3 or to follow up an asymptomatic subtype 3 carrier in case symptoms become evident before antiprotozoal treatment was attempted. Further studies on the roles of morphologic features and variation within Blastocystis species subtypes as predictors of symptoms are encouraged.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Differences in Clinical Significance and Morphologic Features ofBlastocystissp Subtype 3

et al. 2010

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“…[678182] Some of the reports attributing the causal role of Blastocystis in diseases have mentioned the direct correlation of infection density with severity of clinical symptoms and duration of illness. [8183] Although, these are significant observations made, their relevance in pathogenicity must be substantiated by scientific evidence.…”

Section: Virulence and Clinical Significancementioning

confidence: 99%

Blastocystis: Taxonomy, biology and virulence

Parija

Jeremiah

2013

Trop Parasitol

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The unicellular protist Blastocystis has long been an unsolved puzzle for taxonomists, microbiologists and clinicians. Over the years, the organism has been bounced on and off the different branches of the tree of life due the possession of unique phenotypic characters intermediary to different organisms. The organism is polymorphic with only few of forms such as vacuolar, granular, amoeboid, and the cyst form being commonly known. However it could exist in other forms much more frequently than the widely known forms which could be missed by the unaware observer. Certain older concepts in the life cycle of Blastocystis although has been proven wrong are still being followed in various textbooks and other trustworthy internet sources. The causal role of Blastocystis in human disease has long been a subject of controversy. It is widely believed that certain subtypes of the organism are virulent. But this is not so as other factors are also involved in the clinical outcome of the infection. In these contexts, this review intends to shed light on the past misconceptions and the recent findings on the taxonomy, biology and the virulence of this organism.

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“…Advancements in the sequence analysis of Blastocystis-specific PCR products and subtype-specific PCR primers have led to progress in identifying several subtypes (268,312,341,402,418,451). PCR using the SSU rRNA gene is being used increasingly for detection of Blastocystis spp.…”

Section: Blastocystis Speciesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Enteric Protozoa in the Developed World: a Public Health Perspective

et al. 2012

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SUMMARY Several enteric protozoa cause severe morbidity and mortality in both humans and animals worldwide. In developed settings, enteric protozoa are often ignored as a cause of diarrheal illness due to better hygiene conditions, and as such, very little effort is used toward laboratory diagnosis. Although these protozoa contribute to the high burden of infectious diseases, estimates of their true prevalence are sometimes affected by the lack of sensitive diagnostic techniques to detect them in clinical and environmental specimens. Despite recent advances in the epidemiology, molecular biology, and treatment of protozoan illnesses, gaps in knowledge still exist, requiring further research. There is evidence that climate-related changes will contribute to their burden due to displacement of ecosystems and human and animal populations, increases in atmospheric temperature, flooding and other environmental conditions suitable for transmission, and the need for the reuse of alternative water sources to meet growing population needs. This review discusses the common enteric protozoa from a public health perspective, highlighting their epidemiology, modes of transmission, prevention, and control. It also discusses the potential impact of climate changes on their epidemiology and the issues surrounding waterborne transmission and suggests a multidisciplinary approach to their prevention and control.

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Blastocystis and its pathogenic potential: latest aspects

Cited by 8 publications

References 59 publications

Differences in Clinical Significance and Morphologic Features ofBlastocystissp Subtype 3

Differences in Clinical Significance and Morphologic Features ofBlastocystissp Subtype 3

Blastocystis: Taxonomy, biology and virulence

Enteric Protozoa in the Developed World: a Public Health Perspective

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