Ali Asghari1, Maryam Zare1, Gholamreza Hatam1, Saeed Shahabi2, Fatemeh Gholizadeh3, Mohammad Motazedian4. 1. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 2. Department of Medical Entomology and Vector Control, School of Health, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 3. Department of Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. 4. Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran. Motazedm@sums.ac.ir.
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the molecular characterization and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. isolated from cancer children and adolescents in Shiraz, Fars province, southwestern Iran. METHODS: Overall, 200 fecal samples obtained from cancer children and adolescents under 18 years old (107 males and 93 females) and checked by microscopy, culture, and molecular methods (PCR). Possible etiological factors and clinical characteristics of Blastocystis infection were also evaluated and compared between Blastocystis infected and non-infected patients. RESULTS: Thirteen of 200 (6.5%) stool samples were positive for Blastocystis by microscopy. While 21 of 200 (10.5%) were positive by culture, and 24 of 200 (12%) were positive by PCR. Out of 24 positive samples tested by PCR and sequencing, ST3 was reported as the most common subtype (nine samples, 37.5%), followed by ST2 (eight samples, 33.3%), ST1 (five samples, 20.9%), and ST7 (two samples, 8.3%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection in males was significantly higher than females (p = 0.024). Also, Blastocystis was more prevalent in patients who had received at least eight chemotherapy cycles than fewer (p = 0.002). However, no associations were found between Blastocystis-positive rate and age, residence, type of cancers, or contact with animals. Also, there was no significant difference between frequency of Blastocystis subtypes in symptomatic and asymptomatic cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: Various controlled epidemiologic and topographic studies need to confirm or reject these possible associations with Blastocystis infection. The data from this study are an invaluable addition to the growing body of research studies on Blastocystis infection in cancer patients.
PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the molecular characterization and subtype distribution of Blastocystis sp. isolated from cancerchildren and adolescents in Shiraz, Fars province, southwestern Iran. METHODS: Overall, 200 fecal samples obtained from cancerchildren and adolescents under 18 years old (107 males and 93 females) and checked by microscopy, culture, and molecular methods (PCR). Possible etiological factors and clinical characteristics of Blastocystis infection were also evaluated and compared between Blastocystis infected and non-infectedpatients. RESULTS: Thirteen of 200 (6.5%) stool samples were positive for Blastocystis by microscopy. While 21 of 200 (10.5%) were positive by culture, and 24 of 200 (12%) were positive by PCR. Out of 24 positive samples tested by PCR and sequencing, ST3 was reported as the most common subtype (nine samples, 37.5%), followed by ST2 (eight samples, 33.3%), ST1 (five samples, 20.9%), and ST7 (two samples, 8.3%). The prevalence of Blastocystis infection in males was significantly higher than females (p = 0.024). Also, Blastocystis was more prevalent in patients who had received at least eight chemotherapy cycles than fewer (p = 0.002). However, no associations were found between Blastocystis-positive rate and age, residence, type of cancers, or contact with animals. Also, there was no significant difference between frequency of Blastocystis subtypes in symptomatic and asymptomatic cancerpatients. CONCLUSIONS: Various controlled epidemiologic and topographic studies need to confirm or reject these possible associations with Blastocystis infection. The data from this study are an invaluable addition to the growing body of research studies on Blastocystis infection in cancerpatients.
Authors: Ali Taghipour; Esmail Rayatdoost; Amir Bairami; Saeed Bahadory; Amir Abdoli Journal: Infect Agent Cancer Date: 2022-06-17 Impact factor: 3.698
Authors: Shaimaa H Ali; Mousa A M Ismail; Ayman A El-Badry; Enas Y Abu-Sarea; Ahmad M Dewidar; Doaa A Hamdy Journal: Acta Parasitol Date: 2022-01-24 Impact factor: 1.534