Rehena Jinnat, Harun Anas Bin, Bayazid Abdullah Al, Hasan Md Farhan, Sultana Tania, Nahar Ainun, Saha Joynti, Tito Mokammel Hossain, Singha Shuvo, Siddiki S H M Faruk, Hoque M Nazmul, Karim Md Robiul
Department of Medicine, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh.
Zoonosis Research Laboratory, Gazipur Agricultural University, Gazipur, 1706, Bangladesh.
Vet Res Commun. 2025 Sep 5;49(5):303. doi: 10.1007/s11259-025-10864-z.
Blastocystis is a single-celled intestinal protist found worldwide in humans and animals, including pigs, and can cause gastrointestinal disorders. It can hinder pig production and pose a potential zoonotic risk. The parasite exhibits considerable genetic diversity and is currently classified into 44 recognized subtypes (STs). Of these, nine STs have been identified in pigs, eight of which are considered zoonotic. This study aimed to investigate the molecular prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis in pigs raised by the ethnic communities in the Chattogram Hill Tracts of Bangladesh. A total of 408 fresh pig fecal samples were collected from the three hill districts, Rangamati, Khagrachhari, and Bandarban, and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Molecular analysis revealed an overall prevalence of Blastocystis at 20.83% (85/408). Although prevalence varied across several variables, multivariable logistic regression identified location as the only significant risk factor, with pigs from Khagrachhari being almost 18 times more likely to be infected with Blastocystis compared to those from Bandarban. Among the 85 positive samples, three STs were identified: ST1, ST3, and ST5. The predominant subtype was ST5, which accounted for 92.92% of cases. Notably, all detected STs were zoonotic, underscoring the potential risk of cross-species transmission. This study presents the first report of Blastocystis infection in domestic pigs in Bangladesh and, given its high prevalence, low genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential, underscores the need for further research on its epidemiology, genetic makeup, and transmission across the country.
芽囊原虫是一种单细胞肠道原生生物，在全球范围内的人类和动物（包括猪）体内均有发现，可导致胃肠道疾病。它会阻碍养猪生产，并构成潜在的人畜共患病风险。这种寄生虫表现出相当大的遗传多样性，目前已被分为44个公认的亚型（STs）。其中，已在猪身上鉴定出9个STs，其中8个被认为是人畜共患的。本研究旨在调查孟加拉国吉大港山区少数民族社区饲养的猪中芽囊原虫的分子流行率、遗传多样性和人畜共患潜力。从朗加马蒂、哈格拉乔里和班达班这三个山区县共采集了408份新鲜猪粪便样本，并使用针对小亚基核糖体RNA（SSU rRNA）基因的聚合酶链反应（PCR）进行分析。分子分析显示，芽囊原虫的总体流行率为20.83%（85/408）。尽管流行率在几个变量中有所不同，但多变量逻辑回归确定地理位置是唯一的显著风险因素，与来自班达班的猪相比，来自哈格拉乔里的猪感染芽囊原虫的可能性几乎高出18倍。在85个阳性样本中，鉴定出了3个STs：ST1、ST3和ST5。主要亚型是ST5，占病例的92.92%。值得注意的是，所有检测到的STs都是人畜共患的，这突出了跨物种传播的潜在风险。本研究首次报告了孟加拉国家猪感染芽囊原虫的情况，鉴于其高流行率、低遗传多样性和人畜共患潜力，强调有必要对其在该国的流行病学、基因构成和传播进行进一步研究。
