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Updated: Jun 5, 2026
High-throughput Detection of Respiratory Pathogens in Animal Specimens by Nanoscale PCR
Published on: November 28, 2016
Development of a new PCR protocol to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. from humans and animals
Mónica Santín1, María Teresa Gómez-Muñoz, Gloria Solano-Aguilar
1Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Building 173, BARC-East, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA. monica.santin-duran@ars.usda.gov
Abstract:
Blastocystis spp. is commonly found in the feces of humans worldwide. Infection has been reported as asymptomatic, acute symptomatic, and chronic symptomatic. This wide range of responses to infection could be related to the genetic diversity of morphologically indistinguishable specimens obtained from infected hosts. The former name Blastocystis hominis is now reported as Blastocystis spp. because of its genetic diversity. Blastocystis is recognized as a complex of subtypes that have not been fully characterized as independent species. The finding of Blastocystis spp. in feces from several animal species suggests a zoonotic potential. Based on conserved regions of published nucleotide SSU rDNA sequences from all Blastocystis subtypes found in GenBank, a PCR and sequencing protocol was developed. The ~500 bp SSU rDNA gene fragment amplified by this PCR is highly sensitive compared with published primers and contains highly variable regions that allow phylogenetic analysis of Blastocystis. These primers were used to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. specimens from naturally infected humans, primates, cattle, pigs, and chickens. Based on these findings, application of this method can elucidate the complexity of this heterogeneous genus and its role in human and animal disease, as well as its zoonotic potential.
Insights
Blastocystis spp. is a common human gut microbe with diverse genetic subtypes. A new PCR method effectively detects and subtypes Blastocystis from humans and animals, aiding research into its zoonotic potential and disease role.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Genetics
Background:
- Blastocystis spp. is a widespread intestinal protozoan parasite in humans, exhibiting varied infection outcomes.
- The genetic diversity among Blastocystis subtypes contributes to the range of clinical presentations.
- Blastocystis spp. has been found in various animal hosts, suggesting zoonotic transmission potential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a sensitive PCR and sequencing protocol for detecting and subtyping Blastocystis spp.
- To analyze the genetic diversity of Blastocystis spp. across different host species.
- To investigate the zoonotic potential and role in disease of Blastocystis spp.
Main Methods:
- Developed a PCR protocol targeting conserved regions of the SSU rDNA gene.
- Amplified a ~500 bp fragment of the SSU rDNA gene for phylogenetic analysis.
- Applied the method to detect and subtype Blastocystis spp. in humans, primates, cattle, pigs, and chickens.
Main Results:
- The developed PCR method demonstrated high sensitivity in detecting Blastocystis spp.
- The ~500 bp SSU rDNA fragment contained variable regions suitable for phylogenetic analysis.
- Blastocystis spp. were successfully detected and subtyped in samples from various animal hosts.
Conclusions:
- The new PCR and sequencing method is effective for characterizing the genetic diversity of Blastocystis spp.
- This tool can help elucidate the complexity of Blastocystis spp. and its impact on human and animal health.
- The findings support the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis spp. and warrant further investigation into its role in disease transmission.
