Investigation of Blastocystis Prevalence in Rural Areas: A Field Study Example

Öz

Blastocystis is a zoonotic protist that is commonly found in humans and other mammals, as well as birds, reptiles, fish and insects. More epidemiological studies are needed to identify risk factors for Blastocystis transmission and to shape control programs. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Blastocystis among the people living in Kırıklı village in Karaisali district of Adana province. Stool samples of 115 participants were examined for the presence of Blastocystis by direct microscopy (DM) and culture method. DM positivity was 40% (46/115) and culture positivity was 70.4% (81/115), and this difference was statistically significant (p= 0.006). It was determined that the use of culture method in the diagnosis was advantageous in the detection of Blastocystis. While no statistically significant correlation was found between Blastocystis positivity and sociodemographic factors like age, gender, and body mass index (BMI), it is crucial to highlight the elevated prevalence of Blastocystis in areas where livestock farming is prevalent and the zoonotic cycle in the transmission of the parasite.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Blastocystis
• Culture
• Field Study
• Prevalence

Kırsal Alanda Blastocystis Prevalansının Araştırılması: Saha Çalışma Örneği

Öz

Blastocystis, insanlar ile diğer memelilerin yanı sıra kuş, sürüngen, balık, böcek gibi pek çok canlıda yaygın olarak bulunan zoonotik bir protisttir. Blastocystis bulaşındaki risk faktörlerini belirlemek ve kontrol programlarını şekillendirmek için daha fazla epidemiyolojik çalışmaya ihtiyaç duyulmaktadır. Çalışmamızda Adana ilinin Karaisali ilçesine bağlı Kırıklı köyünde yaşayanlarda Blastocystis prevalansının araştırılması amaçlanmıştır. Çalışmaya dahil edilen 115 katılımcının dışkı örneği direkt mikroskobi (DM) ve kültür yöntemiyle Blastocystis varlığı açısından incelenmiştir. Yöntemlerden DM pozitifliği %40 (46/115), kültür pozitifliği ise %70,4 (81/115) olarak tespit edilmiş, bu fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlılık göstermiştir (p = 0,006). Tanıda kültür yönteminin kullanılmasının Blastocystis belirlenmesinde avantaj sağladığı tespit edilmiştir. Blastocystis varlığına ilişkin yaş, cinsiyet, vücut kitle indeksi (VKİ) gibi sosyodemografik faktörler ile Blastocystis pozitifliği arasında istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir ilişki görülmemiş olsa da hayvancılık yapılan bölgelerde Blastocystis pozitifliğinin yüksek olduğunun gösterilmesi ve parazitin bulaşında zoonotik döngünün üzerinde durulması gerektiğine vurgu açısından önemli bulunmuştur.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Blastocystis
• Kültür
• Prevalans
• Saha Çalışması

Kaynakça

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