Independent Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Botany, Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Pomeranian Medical University in Szczecin, Powstanców Wielkopolskich 72, 70-111, Szczecin, Poland.
Department of Medical Biology, School of Public Health, University of Warmia and Mazury, Żołnierska 14 C, 10-561, Olsztyn, Poland.
BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Nov 1;21(1):1125. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06815-z.
Blastocystis spp. are considered pathogenic or commensal organisms, although the majority of researchers suggest that these are neglected pathogens. The main aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis spp. in pre- and perimenopausal women, with respect to socio-demographic (age and place of residence), and epidemiological factors, as well as drinking tap water, contact with domestic animals, traveling abroad, health status, and presence of gastrointestinal symptoms. Additionally, the objective was to compare hematological and biochemical parameters of Blastocystis spp. infected and uninfected women.
The study included 425 women aged 45-60. Their stool samples were examined microscopically and analyzed by a conventional polymerase chain reaction (cPCR).
Blastocystis spp. were detected in 6.1% of pre- and perimenopausal women. Molecular analysis of the stool samples identified seven Blastocystis subtypes (ST1-ST4, ST6, ST7, and ST9). Blastocystis subtypes 2 and 3 were the most prevalent. The presence of Blastocystis spp. was not significantly related to socio-demographic and epidemiological factors. There were also no significant associations between Blastocystis spp. and blood parameters, or gastrointestinal symptoms.
This study complements the limited available data on the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in pre- and perimenopausal women. It is also the first report showing the presence of Blastocystis subtype 9 in Poland.
尽管大多数研究人员认为 Blastocystis spp. 是被忽视的病原体，但它们被认为是致病或共生生物。本研究的主要目的是确定 Blastocystis spp. 在绝经前和绝经后妇女中的流行率和亚型分布，并探讨其与社会人口学（年龄和居住地）和流行病学因素（如饮用自来水、与家养动物接触、出国旅行、健康状况和胃肠道症状）的关系。此外，本研究还旨在比较 Blastocystis spp. 感染和未感染妇女的血液学和生化参数。
本研究纳入了 425 名年龄在 45-60 岁的女性。对她们的粪便样本进行显微镜检查，并通过常规聚合酶链反应（cPCR）进行分析。
在 6.1%的绝经前和绝经后妇女中检测到 Blastocystis spp.。对粪便样本的分子分析鉴定出了 7 种 Blastocystis 亚型（ST1-ST4、ST6、ST7 和 ST9）。Blastocystis 亚型 2 和 3 最为常见。Blastocystis spp. 的存在与社会人口学和流行病学因素无显著相关性。Blastocystis spp. 与血液参数或胃肠道症状之间也无显著关联。
本研究补充了关于绝经前和绝经后妇女中 Blastocystis spp. 流行率的有限数据，也是首次在波兰报告 Blastocystis 亚型 9 的存在。
