Drinking water: a possible source of Blastocystis spp. subtype 1 infection in schoolchildren of a rural community in central Thailand

Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2008 Sep;79(3):401-6.

Abstract

In January 2005, a survey of intestinal parasitic infections was performed in a primary school, central Thailand. Of 675 stool samples, Blastocystis was identified with a prevalence of 18.9%. Genetic characterization of Blastocystis showed subtype 1 (77.9%) and subtype 2 (22.1%). Study of the water supply in this school was performed to find the possible sources of Blastocystis. Blastocystis from one water sample was identified as subtype 1, which had a nucleotide sequence of small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene that was 100% identical to that of Blastocystis infected in schoolchildren. Our information supports the evidence of water-borne transmission in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Animals
  • Blastocystis / classification
  • Blastocystis / genetics
  • Blastocystis / isolation & purification*
  • Blastocystis Infections / epidemiology*
  • Blastocystis Infections / parasitology
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Female
  • Fresh Water / parasitology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / epidemiology*
  • Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / parasitology
  • Male
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Restriction Mapping
  • Risk Factors
  • Rural Population
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Water Supply / standards*

Substances

  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal