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Contribution of Blastocystishominis subtypes and associated inflammatory factors in development of irritable bowel
Marzieh Azizian1,2, Gholam Basati1, Ghobad Abangah1
1Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
Abstract:
Blastocystis hominis with worldwide distribution is a human intestinal protozoa found in all countries. There have been differences in the severity of the pathogenesis of various Blastocystis spp. and a concomitant variation in the plasma concentration of the cytokines in patients with irritable bowel syndrome. In the present study, we aimed to demonstrate the contribution of B. hominis subtypes in the development of irritable bowel syndrome. Stool samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal disorders. All samples were evaluated through native-lugol method. Total DNA was extracted. A PCR protocol was developed to amplify a specific region of the SSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene. Serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were determined by immunoassay methods. The ClustalW algorithm was applied to align and blast the nucleotide sequences of the amplified region of the SSU rDNA gene. To evaluate the phylogenetic and molecular evolutionary of the nucleotide sequences, we used the MEGA software. In this study, we found 26 haplotypes of B. hominis in the studied samples which were collectively belong to five subtypes (ST1, ST2 in patients without irritable bowel syndrome vs. ST3 and two unknown subtypes in patients with irritable bowel syndrome). Result of ELISA showed a high level of IL-6 and TNF-α in the serum of patients with irritable bowel syndrome. The genetic heterogeneity of B. hominis and the existence of different subtypes of the protozoan in patients with IBS may shed light to the fact that some subtypes of parasites may involve in the pathogenesis of IBS.
Insights
Certain Blastocystis hominis subtypes are linked to irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) development. This study identified specific subtypes and elevated cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α) in IBS patients, suggesting a role in disease pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Gastroenterology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Blastocystis hominis is a common human intestinal protozoan with global distribution.
- Variations in Blastocystis spp. pathogenicity and host immune responses, particularly cytokine levels, are observed in irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between Blastocystis hominis subtypes and the development of irritable bowel syndrome.
- To determine if specific Blastocystis hominis subtypes correlate with elevated serum levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α) in IBS patients.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples from patients with gastrointestinal disorders were analyzed using the native-lugol method.
- DNA extraction followed by PCR amplification of the SSU ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene was performed.
- Serum cytokine levels (IL-6, TNF-α) were measured using immunoassay methods, and genetic analysis utilized ClustalW and MEGA software.
Main Results:
- Twenty-six Blastocystis hominis haplotypes were identified, belonging to five subtypes.
- Subtypes ST1 and ST2 were found in non-IBS patients, while ST3 and two novel subtypes were identified in IBS patients.
- Elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α were detected in patients diagnosed with IBS.
Conclusions:
- The genetic diversity of Blastocystis hominis, specifically the presence of distinct subtypes, may play a role in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome.
- Further research into specific Blastocystis hominis subtypes could elucidate their contribution to IBS development and inform targeted therapeutic strategies.
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