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Metataxomics reveals Blastocystis subtypes mixed infections in Colombian children

Gisela M Garcia-Montoya1, Ana L Galvan-Diaz2, Juan F Alzate1

  • 1Centro Nacional de Secuenciación Genómica CNSG, Sede de Investigación Universitaria-SIU, Medellín, Colombia; Departamento de Microbiología y Parasitología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia; Grupo Pediaciencias, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia.

Infection, Genetics and Evolution : Journal of Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Genetics in Infectious Diseases
|July 5, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Blastocystis sp. is a common intestinal parasite. A new NGS method detected subtypes ST1, ST2, and ST3 in children, revealing mixed infections in 16% of cases.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Microbiome Research

Background:

  • Blastocystis sp. is a prevalent human intestinal protist with debated pathogenicity.
  • Conflicting evidence exists regarding its role in disease.
  • Genetic studies link Blastocystis genotypes to varied pathogenic profiles.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To apply a metataxonomic Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) approach for Blastocystis sp. detection.
  • To identify Blastocystis subtypes and mixed infections in children from Medellin.
  • To overcome limitations of conventional microscopic and PCR methods for mixed infection detection.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a metataxonomic NGS approach targeting the eukaryotic SSU-rRNA gene (V4 region).
  • Employed classical phylogenetic methods for subtype identification.
  • Analyzed stool samples from children attending a daycare center in Medellin.

Main Results:

  • Blastocystis sp. was detected in stool samples from infected children.
  • Identified subtypes ST1, ST2, and ST3.
  • Discovered mixed infections (ST1 + ST3) in 16% of the analyzed samples.

Conclusions:

  • The NGS approach is effective for detecting Blastocystis sp. and its subtypes, including mixed infections.
  • Subtypes ST1, ST2, and ST3 are present in the studied pediatric population.
  • Mixed Blastocystis infections are a notable finding in this urban setting.
Keywords:
18S-V4BlastocystisMetataxonomicsMixed infectionsNGSSubtypes

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