Association of Blastocystis subtype 3 and 1 with patients from an Oregon community presenting with chronic gastrointestinal illness

Parasitol Res. 2009 Jan;104(2):341-5. doi: 10.1007/s00436-008-1198-7. Epub 2008 Oct 16.

Abstract

Chronic gastrointestinal illness of unknown etiology is a significant problem in the United States. Using a real-time LightCycler PCR assay we detected Blastocystis in nine patients from a metropolitan area of Corvallis, Oregon who presented with diarrhea, abdominal pain, fatigue, joint pain, skin rash and psychiatric co-morbidity. Phylogenetic analysis identified six infections with Blastocystis sp. subtype 3, and one with subtype 1, using the standard Stensvold nomenclature. Most patients with subtype 3 had previously tested negative with conventional parasitological diagnostics, had been symptomatic for over 4 years, and reported antibiotic failure.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Blastocystis / classification*
  • Blastocystis / genetics
  • Blastocystis / isolation & purification*
  • Blastocystis Infections / epidemiology*
  • Blastocystis Infections / parasitology*
  • Child
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Female
  • Gastroenteritis / epidemiology*
  • Gastroenteritis / parasitology*
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Oregon / epidemiology
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S