Abstract
Blastocystis is frequently identified in humans and animal hosts and exhibits a large genetic diversity with the identification of 17 subtypes (STs). Despite its zoonotic potential, its prevalence and ST distribution in edible marine fish and marine mammals remain unknown. A large-scale survey was thus conducted by screening 345 fish caught in Atlantic Northeast and 29 marine mammals stranded on the coasts of northern France for the presence of the parasite using real-time Polymerase Chain Reaction PCR. The prevalence of the parasite was about 3.5% in marine fish. These animals were mostly colonized by poikilotherm-derived isolates not identified in humans and corresponding to potential new STs, indicating that fish are natural hosts of Blastocystis. Marine fishes are also carriers of human STs and represent a likely limited source of zoonotic transmission. 13.8% of the marine mammals tested were colonized and 6 different STs were identified including 3 potential new STs. The risk of zoonotic transmission through marine mammals is insignificant due to the lack of repeated contact with humans. The present survey represents the first data regarding the prevalence and ST distribution of Blastocystis in marine fish and marine mammals and provides new insights into its genetic diversity, host range and transmission.
Highlights
Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic enteric protozoan frequently identified in humans and in a wide range of animal hosts, including various groups of mammals as well as birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects [1,2,3]
To the best of our knowledge, this study presents the first report of Blastocystis sp. prevalence in marine mammals and should be extended to other species of interest in order to assess the real impact of this parasite in this group of animals
The present survey represents the first large-scale molecular epidemiological study conducted in the world focused on the prevalence and ST distribution of Blastocystis sp. in edible marine fish and marine mammals
Summary
Blastocystis sp. is an anaerobic enteric protozoan frequently identified in humans and in a wide range of animal hosts, including various groups of mammals as well as birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects [1,2,3]. In the large majority of epidemiological studies conducted in recent years around the world and focused on intestinal parasites, Blastocystis sp. Is by far the most common single-celled eukaryote found in human faeces. The question of the pathogenic potential and clinical significance of Blastocystis sp. Remains controversial so far because individuals colonized by the parasite are mostly asymptomatic [7,8,9]. Several recent in vitro studies have clearly demonstrated the impact of the parasite on the intestinal epithelium of the host, underlining various virulence factors and mechanisms potentially involved in its pathogenesis [10]. Infection was reported to be associated with non-specific intestinal disorders and possibly urticaria in numerous clinical case studies [11,12] Blastocystis sp. infection was reported to be associated with non-specific intestinal disorders and possibly urticaria in numerous clinical case studies [11,12]
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