Abstract
Blastocystis is an intestinal protist frequently identified in humans and other animals. Its clinical significance is still controversial. This study aims to determine the Blastocystis prevalence and genetic diversity in stool samples from symptomatic (n = 55) and asymptomatic (n= 50) individuals seeking medical care in Meknes, Morocco.
Detection of the protist was accomplished by coproparasitological examination and culture in Jones medium. Culture-positive samples were subjected to molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) analyses based on sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene of the protist. Epidemiological questionnaires on demographics and potential risk factors were collected from participating patients.
The overall Blastocystisinfection rate was 51.4% (54/105), with no differences between symptomatic (52.7%, 29/55) and asymptomatic (50.0%, 25/50) individuals. Sequence analyses identified three Blastocystissubtypes, being the most prevalent ST3 (42.0%), followed by ST1 (34.0%), and ST2 (12.0%). Regarding intra-subtype diversity, allele 4 was found within ST1, alleles 11 and 12 (alone or in combination) within ST2, and alleles 34 and 36 (alone or in combination) within ST3. ST3 allele 34 (40.8%) and ST1 allele 4 (34.7%) were the most common genetic variants circulating in the surveyed clinical population.
A statistically significant association between ST2 and the presence of flatulence was observed. This is the first study assessing the epidemiology and genetic diversity of Blastocystis sp. in the Meknes region, Morocco.