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<p><i>Blastocystis</i> spp. is a genetically diverse enteric protozoan that infects humans and animals, often found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. However, limited data exist on the prevalence and distribution of <i>Blastocystis</i> subtypes (STs) in rural Egypt. This study aimed to investigate the genetic STs of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. among primary schoolchildren in El Beheira and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates, while exploring potential links between symptoms, STs, and transmission patterns. A total of 150 stool samples were collected and examined microscopically after formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) technique, followed by cultivation in Jones' medium. Conventional PCR was applied to all microscopy and/or culture positive samples, and 10 randomly selected PCR positive samples were sequenced for subtyping. Results showed a higher prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. infection in Kafr El-Sheikh compared to El Beheira across all diagnostic methods. ST3 was the most common, followed by ST1 and ST2. This study marks a significant milestone as the second study to report the presence of ST10 in humans in Egypt. In conclusion, the identification of multiple STs revealed substantial genetic diversity, with ST3 being the most prevalent. The detection of several STs suggests diverse transmission routes, including human-to-human, zoonotic, and waterborne pathways, each associated with varying symptomatology.</p>

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Genetic diversity of Blastocystis subtypes in Egyptian schoolchildren: insights from a rural setting near Alexandria

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年4月10日

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  • Amel Youssef Shehab,
  • Sarah Mohamed Abdo,
  • Amal Farahat Allam,
  • Rasha Moustafa Othman,
  • Mostafa Aboelhoda Mohamed,
  • Heba Said Ibrahim

摘要

Blastocystis spp. is a genetically diverse enteric protozoan that infects humans and animals, often found in both symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. However, limited data exist on the prevalence and distribution of Blastocystis subtypes (STs) in rural Egypt. This study aimed to investigate the genetic STs of Blastocystis spp. among primary schoolchildren in El Beheira and Kafr El-Sheikh governorates, while exploring potential links between symptoms, STs, and transmission patterns. A total of 150 stool samples were collected and examined microscopically after formalin-ethyl acetate (FEA) technique, followed by cultivation in Jones' medium. Conventional PCR was applied to all microscopy and/or culture positive samples, and 10 randomly selected PCR positive samples were sequenced for subtyping. Results showed a higher prevalence of Blastocystis spp. infection in Kafr El-Sheikh compared to El Beheira across all diagnostic methods. ST3 was the most common, followed by ST1 and ST2. This study marks a significant milestone as the second study to report the presence of ST10 in humans in Egypt. In conclusion, the identification of multiple STs revealed substantial genetic diversity, with ST3 being the most prevalent. The detection of several STs suggests diverse transmission routes, including human-to-human, zoonotic, and waterborne pathways, each associated with varying symptomatology.