Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Isolated from School-Aged Children in the Thai-Myanmar Border, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand
3
Issued Date
2023-01-01
Resource Type
ISSN
16617827
eISSN
16604601
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85145725095
Pubmed ID
36612533
Journal Title
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Volume
20
Issue
1
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.20 No.1 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Abu A., Sutthikornchai C., Mahittikorn A., Koompapong K., Chiabchalard R., Arthan D., Soonthornworasiri N., Popruk S. Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Isolated from School-Aged Children in the Thai-Myanmar Border, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health Vol.20 No.1 (2023). doi:10.3390/ijerph20010204 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/123456789/82614
Title
Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Isolated from School-Aged Children in the Thai-Myanmar Border, Ratchaburi Province, Thailand
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
Blastocystis is one of the most common enteric protozoa that inhabits the intestinal tract of humans and different animals. Moreover, it has a worldwide geographic distribution. Its main mode of transmission is via the fecal-oral route. At present, 26 subtypes are widely distributed across both humans and animals. The current study aimed to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis among school-aged children living on the Thai-Myanmar border, Ratchaburi province, Thailand. In total, 508 samples were collected from children at six schools. The prevalence of Blastocystis infection was amplified and sequenced in the 600 bp barcode region of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA). The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 3.35% (17/508). ST3 (11/17) was the most predominant subtype, followed by ST1 (5/17) and ST2 (1/17). A phylogenetic tree was constructed based on the Tamura92+G+I model using the maximum-likelihood algorithm. Surprisingly, all sequences of the ST3-positive samples were closely correlated with the cattle-derived sequence. Meanwhile, all sequences of the Blastocystis ST1-positive samples were closely correlated with the human-derived sequence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to validate the zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis. Based on our findings, personal hygiene and sanitation should be improved to promote better health in children in this area.