Fulltext

Molecular epidemiology of blastocystosis in Malaysia: does seasonal variation play an important role in determining the distribution and risk factors of Blastocystis subtype infections in the Aboriginal community?

Noradilah SA 1 , Moktar N 2 , Anuar TS 3 , Lee IL 4 , Salleh FM 1 , Manap SNAA 1 Show all authors , Mohtar NSHM 1 , Azrul SM 5 , Abdullah WO 6 , Nordin A 1 , Abdullah SR 7

Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 2 Department of Pre-Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Sungai Long Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 3 Integrative Pharmacogenomics Institute, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, Malaysia
  • 4 Kulliyyah of Medicine and Health Sciences, Kolej Universiti INSANIAH, Kuala Ketil, Kedah, Malaysia
  • 5 Multipurpose Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 6 Department of Medical Sciences II, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia, Pandan Indah, 55100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
  • 7 Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. syamsarizalukm@gmail.com
Parasit Vectors, 2017 Jul 31;10(1):360.
PMID: 28760145 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2294-2

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Alternating wet and dry seasons may play an important role in the acquisition and distribution of Blastocystis subtype infection in the tropics. This cross-sectional study was therefore conducted to provide the prevalence of Blastocystis and to determine the potential risk factors associated with each subtype during the wet and dry seasons in the Aboriginal community, Pahang, Malaysia.

METHODS: A total of 473 faecal samples were collected: 256 (54.1%) and 217 (45.9%) samples were obtained during the wet (October-November 2014) and the dry season (June 2015), respectively. All fresh faecal samples were subjected to molecular analysis for subtype and allele identification.

RESULTS: Of the 473 samples, 42.6% and 37.8% were positive for Blastocystis ST1, ST2, ST3 and ST4 during wet and dry seasons, respectively. Prevalence of Blastocystis ST1 was significantly higher during the wet season compared to the dry season (Z = 2.146, P 

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

MeSH terms
Similar publications