The high co-existence rate of Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis in human faecal samples and the analysis of demographic and clinical findings

Abstract

Aim: Blastocystis and Dientamoeba fragilis (D. fragilis) are among the most common protozoon species in human faecal samples. The cross-sectional studies have reported the frequencies in a variety of populations. However, we have very limited information about the co-existence rate of those protozoans. The study aimed to compare D. fragilis frequency in Blastocystis positive and negative faecal samples in order to determine the co-existence rate. The secondary objective was to analyse demographic characteristics and gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms in relation to both infections. Material and Method: In the present study, we defined a study group that included 100 Blastocystis positive faecal samples and a control group that included 100 Blastocystis negative samples. The frequency of D. fragilis in samples was determined with a PCR assay specific to the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SS rRNA) gene. A positive control of D. fragilis was used and the samples with amplification of the expected size (863 bp) were considered as positive. In addition to the statistical comparison of frequencies, the descriptive and clinical findings of cases were analysed retrospectively with Pearson chi-square or ANOVA tests. Results: The frequency of D. fragilis was 21% in Blastocystis positive group and it was 10% in Blastocystis negative group. There was statistically significant difference in terms of D. fragilis positivity between the groups (p <0.05). Age, gender and GI symptoms did not reveal a significant difference between the following groups: only Blastocystis infected (n=77), only D. fragilis infected (n=11), infected with both protozoans (n=34) and non-infected individuals (n=89) (p >0.05). Conclusion: Our study highlighted the high co-existence of D. fragilis and Blastocystis in human faecal samples. A possible explanation for this finding may be the faecal-oral transmission of these protozoans. In addition, analysis of clinical findings was supported common asymptomatic colonisation of Blastocystis and D. fragilis.

Keywords

• Blastocystis
• Dientamoeba fragilis
• co-infection
• clinical findings

Supporting Institution

No

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