Molecular detection and genotyping of Blastocystis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in humans and pigs in NakhonPathom Province, Thailand

Abstract

Blastocystis, Cryptosporidium spp.andEnterocytozoon bieneusi are enteric protozoa in a wide range of vertebrate hosts, causing diarrheal diseases. There is scanty molecular data on their frequency among humans and animals in Thailand. In this study, a total of 142 human and 102 pig stool samples were collected from pig farms in NakhonPathom Province and evaluated for the presence of the protozoa by nested PCR. In human, 2.8% of Blastocystis and 9.2% of E. bieneusi were found while 20.6% of Blastocystis and 15.7% of E. bieneusi were found in pigs. No Cryptosporidium spp.(0%) was detected in both pig and human samples. Four subtypes of Blastocystis were identified and the zoonotic potential in this was possibly due to direct or indirect contact of humans to pig feces. Two previously reported genotypesof E. bieneusi and 6 new genotypes were identified in pig. In humans, 3 previously reported and 7 new E. bieneusi genotypes were identified. The significance of the present results highlights that it is crucial to strength surveillance on intestinal pathogens as close contact between humans and pigs may increase the risks of zoonotic transmission, especially from Blastocystis and Enterocytozoon