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Published on: December 15, 2023
First molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes from animals and animal-keepers stool in Algeria
Amina Boutellis1, Miriem Aissi2, Khaled Harhoura2
1Laboratoire de Biodiversité et Environnement: Interaction, Génome, Faculté des Sciences Biologiques, Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, Alger, Algeria.
Abstract:
Blastocystis sp. is one of the most common enteric parasites found in humans and many non-human hosts. It is an anaerobic protozoan that belongs to the group of Stramenopiles. Based on phylogenetic analysis of ribosomal DNA genes, at least 17 subtypes (ST1-ST17) are described. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize Blastocystis sp. in stool samples from various animal groups and animal-keepers. Overall, 29/70 (41.43%) animals and 7/60 (11.66%) humans sampled were positive for Blastocystis sp. using microscopy. The sequencing of the partial 18S small subunit ribosomal DNA gene (SSU rDNA) revealed the presence of five haplotypes corresponding to ST2 and ST3 in humans, and ST2, ST3, ST7, and ST10 in animals. This is the first report of Blastocystis subtypes in animals in Algeria.
