Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of Blastocystis Infection in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand

Noppon Popruk, Satakamol Prasongwattana, Aongart Mahittikorn, Attakorn Palasuwan, Supaluk Popruk and Duangdao Palasuwan
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Noppon Popruk: Department of Transfusion Medicine and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Satakamol Prasongwattana: Department of Nursing, Bang Pa-in Hospital, Bang Pa-in District, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya 13160, Thailand
Aongart Mahittikorn: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Attakorn Palasuwan: Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
Supaluk Popruk: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10400, Thailand
Duangdao Palasuwan: Oxidation in Red Cell Disorders Research Unit, Department of Clinical Microscopy, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 23, 1-12

Abstract: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major global public health problem with an increasing prevalence. DM increases the risk of infections caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses, and parasites. We examined the prevalence, subtypes, and risk factors of Blastocystis infection in patients with and without DM in central Thailand. Stool samples and questionnaires were obtained from 130 people in the DM group and 100 people in the non-DM group. Blastocystis infection was identified via a nested polymerase chain reaction and subtyped via sequencing of the partial small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Analysis of potential risk factors was conducted via binary logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis infection was 10.8%, including rates of 9% and 12.3% in the non-DM and DM groups, respectively. The most prevalent subtype was ST3, followed by ST1, and ST4. Factors that potentially increased the risk of Blastocystis infection include patients being >65 years old, the presence of DM, a DM duration of ≥10 years, a low level of education, and animal ownership. In conclusion, this is the first study of Blastocystis infection in DM, and a high prevalence was found among this population. Therefore, health education promoting sanitation and hygiene is necessary to reduce and prevent infection in the community.

Keywords: Blastocystis; diabetes mellitus; SSU rRNA gene; subtypes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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