Abstract
BackgroundBlastocystis has been described as the most common intestinal parasite in humans and has an increased impact on public health. However, the transmission of this parasite has not been conclusively determined.MethodsTo contribute to a better comprehension of the epidemiology of this infection, a cross-sectional survey aimed at providing the first documented data on the prevalence and risk factors associated with Blastocystis infection was carried out among three Orang Asli tribes (Proto-Malay, Negrito and Senoi) in selected villages at Negeri Sembilan, Perak and Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. Faecal samples were examined by formalin-ether sedimentation and trichrome staining techniques.ResultsOf 500 individuals, 20.4% (102) were detected positive for Blastocystis; 13.3% (20/150) of Proto-Malays, 21.6% (30/139) of Negritos and 24.7% (52/211) of Senois were positive for Blastocystis, respectively. The positive cases showed a decrease with increasing age and most of the positive cases were observed in individuals less than 15 years old. Multivariate analysis confirmed that drinking untreated water and the presence of other family members infected with Blastocystis were significant risk factors of infection among the three tribes and overall population studied.ConclusionEssentially, the findings highlighted that Blastocystis infection is prevalent among Orang Asli communities in Malaysia. Further studies using molecular approaches to distinguish the subtype of Blastocystis is needed. The present study also revealed that this infection may be transmitted through waterborne and human-to-human contact. Therefore, interventions with the provision of clean water supply for the communities and health education especially to the parents are urgently required.
Highlights
Blastocystis has been described as the most common intestinal parasite in humans and has an increased impact on public health
Ethical issues Prior to data collection, the study protocol (Reference Number: UKM 1.5.3.5/244/FF-165-2011) was reviewed and approved by the Ethics Committee of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC) and Demographic and socioeconomic profiles A total of 500 individuals aged from 2 to 74 years participated in this study with a median age of 18 years [interquartile range (IQR) 9–35]; and consisted of 150 (30%) Proto-Malays, 139 (28%) Negritos and 211 (42%) Senois
The studied population came from a low socioeconomic background with more than half having less than 6 years of formal education
Summary
Blastocystis has been described as the most common intestinal parasite in humans and has an increased impact on public health. Blastocystis is an anaerobic unicellular eukaryote that can inhabit the intestinal track of humans and many animals, it was first described in 1912 [1]. Numerous cross-sectional surveys have been carried out in different epidemiological settings and Blastocystis is known to be one of the most frequently found protozoan parasites in human faecal samples, especially in children and adults in developing countries [2,3]. Blastocystis prevalence in human often exceeds 5% in industrialized countries and can reach as high as 76% in developing countries [3,4]. Several forms of Blastocystis are observed in faecal samples include vacuolar, multivacuolar, avacuolar, granular, amoeboid and cyst [2]. Most laboratories recognize only the vacuolar form as the diagnostic stage since it can be distinguished from other protozoa
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