Abstract
BackgroundStress alters the oxidant-antioxidant state and immune cell responses which disrupts its function to combat infection. Blastocystis hominis, a common intestinal protozoan has been reported to be opportunistic in immunocompromised patients namely cancer. B. hominis infectivity in other altered immune system conditions especially stress is unknown. We aimed to demonstrate the stress effects towards the susceptibility and pathogenicity of B. hominis infection.Methods/FindingsThree-week-old Wistar rats were divided into four groups: (a)control; (b)stress-induced; (c)B. hominis infected; (d)stress-induced with B. hominis infection; (n = 20 respectively). Stress was induced for an hour daily (30 days) using a Belly Dancer Shaker. Weight gain was monitored, stool samples were collected for B. hominis screening and blood for the determination of differential count, levels of immunoglobulin, oxidative damage, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation upon induction with solubilized antigen of B. hominis (Blasto-Ag). Group (b) exhibited the highest level of weight gain. Group (d) had higher levels of parasite cyst count in stools, serum IgE, oxidized protein and lipid compared to the group (c). Levels of monocyte and antioxidant in group (d) were decreased and their PBMCs showed highest inhibition of proliferation level when exposed to Blasto-Ag. Monocyte level in Group (b) showed insignificant difference compared to group (a) but was significantly lower compared to group (c). Antioxidant levels in group (c) were generally lower compared to group (a) and (b). Inhibition level exhibited by Blasto-Ag treated PBMCs of group (c) was higher compared to group (a) and (b).ConclusionThe pathogenicity and augmentation of B. hominis infection is enhanced when stress is present. Lifestyles today are becoming increasingly stressed and the present findings suggest that the parasite which has been reported to be one of the most common organisms seen in stool surveys, namely in developing countries, may tend to be more pathogenic in stressful situations.
Highlights
In today’s world, humans are often impacted with stress in the course of pursuing success in carrier, wealth and survival
Lifestyles today are becoming increasingly stressed and the present findings suggest that the parasite which has been reported to be one of the most common organisms seen in stool surveys, namely in developing countries, may tend to be more pathogenic in stressful situations
We have demonstrated that solubilized antigen from B. hominis (BlastoAg), at a certain concentration, could down-regulate peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) responses while enhancing the growth of colorectal cancer cells in vitro [20]
Summary
In today’s world, humans are often impacted with stress in the course of pursuing success in carrier, wealth and survival. Stress is defined as a type of condition or response in a living being that is caused by various types of internal or external stimulus [2]. Stress is known to cause behavioral and psychological changes that can lead to disturbance in the body’s physiological function including imbalance in the oxidant-antioxidant state [3]. The overproduction of oxidants or free radicals such as superoxides (O2N) and hydroxyls (OHN) compared to the antioxidants will result in a state called oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is known to cause oxidation of lipid, protein and DNA of cells [4] which results in the abnormal function of tissues and organs of the body. Stress alters the oxidant-antioxidant state and immune cell responses which disrupts its function to combat infection. B. hominis infectivity in other altered immune system conditions especially stress is unknown. We aimed to demonstrate the stress effects towards the susceptibility and pathogenicity of B. hominis infection
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