Issue |
Parasite
Volume 30, 2023
|
|
---|---|---|
Article Number | 64 | |
Number of page(s) | 10 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2023065 | |
Published online | 20 December 2023 |
Research Article
Prevalence of Blastocystis sp. in Morocco: Comparative assessment of three diagnostic methods and characterization of parasite forms in Jones’ culture medium
Prévalence de Blastocystis sp. au Maroc : évaluation comparative de trois méthodes de diagnostic et caractérisation des formes parasitaires en milieu de culture Jones
1
Human Pathology, Biomedicine and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Science and Technology of Fez, B.P. 2202 – Route d’Imouzzer, Fez, Morocco
2
Parasitology-Mycology Laboratory, Moulay Ismaïl Military Hospital, Meknes 50007, Morocco
3
Biotechnology Lab (MedBiotech), Bioinova Research Center, Rabat Medical & Pharmacy School, Mohammed V University in Rabat, Rabat 10100, Morocco
4
Mohammed VI Center for Research & Innovation (CM6), Rabat 10000, Morocco
5
Mohammed VI University of Health Sciences, Casablanca 20000, Morocco
6
Emergency Department, Military Hospital Mohammed V, Rabat 10000, Morocco
7
Human Pathology, Biomedicine and Environment Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, Fez 30070, Morocco
* Corresponding author: boutaharmounia@gmail.com
Received:
23
September
2023
Accepted:
11
December
2023
Blastocystosis is an infection caused by Blastocystis sp., which colonizes the digestive tract of various hosts, including humans, although its pathogenicity is debated. It is crucial to detect and distinguish the different forms of Blastocystis to understand better its impact on human health and its epidemiological evolution. This study evaluated three diagnostic methods on 105 stool samples: direct examination, culture in Jones’ medium, and conventional PCR. PCR is considered the gold standard and revealed a high prevalence of Blastocystis (67.62%) compared to direct examination (20.95%) and culture in Jones’ medium (51.43%). Although the sensitivity of direct examination and culture was 31% and 76.1%, respectively, their specificity was 100%. No significant risk factors were identified. A statistically significant association was observed between Blastocystis infection and abdominal pain. Microscopic analysis revealed various morphological forms. Molecular diagnosis is an essential tool to determine the true prevalence of Blastocystis, and studying the different forms of this microorganism will contribute to a better understanding of its biological cycle and, therefore, the impact of this emerging infection on human health.
Résumé
La blastocystose est une infection causée par Blastocystis sp., qui colonise le tractus digestif de divers hôtes, y compris l’homme, bien que son pouvoir pathogène soit débattu. Il est crucial de détecter et de distinguer les différentes formes de Blastocystis pour mieux comprendre son impact sur la santé humaine et son évolution épidémiologique. Cette étude a évalué trois méthodes de diagnostic sur 105 échantillons de selles : l’examen direct, la culture en milieu de Jones et la PCR conventionnelle. La PCR, considérée comme méthode de référence, a révélé une prévalence élevée de Blastocystis (67,62 %) par rapport à l’examen direct (20,95 %) et à la culture en milieu de Jones (51,43 %). Bien que la sensibilité de l’examen direct et de la culture soit respectivement de 31 % et 76,1 %, leur spécificité était de 100 %. Aucun facteur de risque significatif n’a été identifié. Une association statistiquement significative a été observée entre l’infection à Blastocystis et les douleurs abdominales. L’analyse microscopique a révélé diverses formes morphologiques. Le diagnostic moléculaire est un outil essentiel pour déterminer la véritable prévalence de Blastocystis, et l’étude des différentes formes de ce microorganisme contribuera à une meilleure compréhension de son cycle biologique et, par conséquent de l’impact de cette infection émergente sur la santé humaine.
Key words: Blastocystis sp. / Jones’ medium / PCR / Sensitivity / Specificity / Morocco
© M. Boutahar et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2023
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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