Molecular Identification of Blastocystis Subtypes in the Cervix: A Study on Polish Patients

Background: Blastocystis is a common protozoan often found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The presence of Blastocystis in the female genital tract-has been reported three times, but the genetic material of the protozoan from this site has been identified only once. Methods: Patients with cervical erosions were enrolled in the study. Samples were collected using dry swabs. Blastocystis DNA was detected using real-time PCR and sequenced. Results: Thirty patients with cervical erosions were examined. The presence of Blastocystis genetic material was confirmed in nine female patients. Blastocystis subtypes ST1, ST6, and ST7 were recovered from the ectocervix and distal part of the cervical canal of women with large, symptomatic glandular ectopies resistant to standard treatment. In one case, we identified a Blastocystis subtype ST7 in the material from the cervix, which was different from subtype ST3 found in the anus of the same woman. Conclusions: This observation indicates a possible role for Blastocystis in cervical erosions and suggests that eradication of these organisms may relieve this condition.