Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis-subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA), to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in Blastocystis-carriers. Results: Blastocystis-subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p = 0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p = 0.0001) and with flatulence (p = 0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis-carriers and free ones. Conclusions: Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn't correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in Blastocystis-carriers. The only symptom associated with Blastocystis was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota.

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization / Fontanelli Sulekova, L.; Gabrielli, S.; Furzi, Federica; Milardi, G. L.; Biliotti, E.; De Angelis, M.; Iaiani, G.; Fimiani, C.; Maiorano, M.; Mattiucci, S.; Taliani, G.. - In: BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES. - ISSN 1471-2334. - 19:1(2019), p. 876. [10.1186/s12879-019-4537-7]

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization

Fontanelli Sulekova L.
Conceptualization
;
Gabrielli S.
Writing – Original Draft Preparation
;
FURZI, FEDERICA
Methodology
;
Milardi G. L.
Methodology
;
Biliotti E.
Writing – Review & Editing
;
Mattiucci S.
Project Administration
;
Taliani G.
Supervision
2019

Abstract

Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health. Studies on the prevalence of Blastocystis in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of Blastocystis-subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA), to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in Blastocystis-carriers. Results: Blastocystis-subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors. Blastocystis was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects (p = 0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa (p = 0.0001) and with flatulence (p = 0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between Blastocystis-carriers and free ones. Conclusions: Blastocystis is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn't correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of Blastocystis remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in Blastocystis-carriers. The only symptom associated with Blastocystis was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota.
2019
blastocystis; hiv; italy; pcr; subtype
01 Pubblicazione su rivista::01a Articolo in rivista
Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization / Fontanelli Sulekova, L.; Gabrielli, S.; Furzi, Federica; Milardi, G. L.; Biliotti, E.; De Angelis, M.; Iaiani, G.; Fimiani, C.; Maiorano, M.; Mattiucci, S.; Taliani, G.. - In: BMC INFECTIOUS DISEASES. - ISSN 1471-2334. - 19:1(2019), p. 876. [10.1186/s12879-019-4537-7]
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11573/1328458
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