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Detection of Blastocystis Subtypes in Children with Functional Abdominal Pain and Celiac Disease in Çorum, Turkey
Ayşe Semra Güreser1, Atakan Comba2, Djursun Karasartova1
1Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Hitit University, Corum, Turkey.
Insights
Blastocystis prevalence did not differ between children with celiac disease, functional abdominal pain, or healthy controls. Subtypes ST1, ST2, and ST3 were identified, but not linked to demographic factors.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Parasitology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite linked to gastrointestinal symptoms.
- Celiac disease (CeD) and functional abdominal pain (FAP) are prevalent conditions in children.
- Investigating Blastocystis in these pediatric groups is crucial for understanding its role.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of Blastocystis in children with CeD or FAP compared to healthy children.
- To identify and analyze the subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis detected.
- To assess the association between Blastocystis presence/subtypes and demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological factors.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples were collected from 161 children (CeD, FAP, healthy controls) in Turkey (2016-2018).
- Parasite detection utilized native-Lugol (NL) and trichrome-stained (TS) smears, alongside PCR and Sanger sequencing.
- Demographic, socioeconomic, and epidemiological data were gathered via a standard questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Blastocystis was detected in 10.6% of the total study population, with no significant difference between CeD (11.5%), FAP (7.7%), and healthy (12.3%) groups.
- Subtypes ST2 (42.8%) and ST3 (35.7%) were predominant, followed by ST1 (21.4%).
- No association was found between Blastocystis presence or subtype and demographic, socioeconomic, or epidemiological factors.
Conclusions:
- Blastocystis prevalence is similar across children with CeD, FAP, and healthy controls.
- The identified Blastocystis subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3) did not correlate with demographic, socioeconomic, or epidemiological variables.
- Further research may be needed to elucidate the clinical significance of Blastocystis in pediatric gastrointestinal conditions.
Background:
Blastocystis has been associated with various symptoms of the gastrointestinal tract. We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis in children with celiac disease (CeD) or functional abdominal pain (FAP) and to evaluate its subtypes (STs) with respect to demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors.
Methods:
Overall, 161 fecal samples were collected from healthy children and patients with FAP or CeD in Hitit University Erol Olçok Research and Training Hospital, Corum, Turkey between 2016-2018. Samples were examined using both native-Lugol (NL) and trichrome-stained (TS) smears, and further analyses by PCR and Sanger sequencing were performed. A standard questionnaire was applied to obtain demographic, socioeconomic, epidemiological data.
Results:
Blastocystis was found in 10.6% of the total study population. Neither bacteria nor any other parasites were found, except for one Giardia (0.6%) in the CeD group. The presence/absence of the parasite was not found to be associated with demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors. Blastocysis was detected in 11.5% (6/52) of the CeD, 7.7% (4/52) of the FAP, and 12.3% (7/57) of the healthy group. Diagnostic methods were similar in terms of Blastocystis detection (P= 0.671), and there was fair agreement between the NL, TS and PCR (Fleiss' Kappa=0.847, P=0.001). ST2 (42.8%) and ST3 (35.7%) were the predominant STs followed by ST1 (21.4%).
Conclusion:
We observed no difference between study groups in terms of Blastocystis prevalence. ST1, ST2 and ST3 subtypes were detected. Blastocystis prevalence and STs were not related to any of the demographic, socioeconomic and epidemiological factors.
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