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Assessing Zoonotic Risks of Blastocystis Infection in Singapore
Thet Tun Aung1,2, Charlotte Kai Qi How1, Jean-Marc Chavatte3
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Immunology Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117545, Singapore.
Pathogens (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 28, 2025
Summary
Blastocystis, a worldwide enteric protist, shows high prevalence in Singaporean macaques and humans. Metagenomics identified various subtypes, suggesting diet and reverse zoonotic transmission influence its distribution.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Genomics
Background:
- Blastocystis spp. is a globally prevalent enteric protist with incompletely understood pathogenicity and transmission routes.
- Various subtypes (ST) exist across diverse hosts, indicating potential for zoonotic transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis spp. in humans and macaques in Singapore.
- To explore the genetic diversity of Blastocystis spp. in a healthy Singaporean cohort.
Main Methods:
- Prevalence studies in human and macaque populations.
- Metagenomic analysis to identify Blastocystis spp. subtypes.
Main Results:
- High prevalence of Blastocystis spp. (90-100%) observed in two Macaca fascicularis populations in Singapore, with subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST5 identified.
- Metagenomics revealed subtypes ST2, ST3, and ST17 in a healthy Singaporean cohort.
- Incidental findings in human patients included subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, and ST8.
Conclusions:
- Blastocystis spp. is highly prevalent in Singaporean macaques and humans.
- Subtype distribution may be influenced by factors like diet and reverse zoonotic transmission.
