Prevalence and Subtype Distribution of <i>Blastocystis</i> Infection in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Thailand

• Main Authors: Noppon Popruk, Satakamol Prasongwattana, Aongart Mahittikorn, Attakorn Palasuwan, Supaluk Popruk, Duangdao Palasuwan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: <i>Blastocystis</i>; diabetes mellitus; SSU rRNA gene; subtypes
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/23/8877

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 <i>Blastocystis</i> 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. <i>Blastocystis</i> 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 <i>Blastocystis</i> 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 <i>Blastocystis</i> 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 <i>Blastocystis</i> 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.