Molecular characterization of Blastocystis in cattle in Turkey

Blastocystis genus exist in a wide variety of hosts, including humans, birds, insects, annelids, amphibians, fish, and mammals. PCR-based molecular diagnostic methods have been successfully used to detect Blastocystis spp. in feces, and small subunit ribosomal ribonucleic acid (SSU rRNA) gene-based subtyping is the preferred method for diagnosis. There has been discussion about the subtypes of Blastocystis spp. which has been detected so far. To date, 26 different subtypes have been reported. The aim of this study was to determine the existence and diversity of Blastocystis spp. in cattle. In our study, a total of 80 stool samples were collected from cows and calves at 13 different farms in Burdur and one farm in Aydin. Using molecular method, a total of 9 samples out of 80 samples were found to be positive (11.25%) for Blastocystis. As a result of sequence analysis of Blastocystis positive samples, the subtype 14 was detected on seven samples, while in the other two samples, Blastocystis subtype 10 was identified. The ST10 and ST14 subtypes are commonly reported in animals but not isolated from human. Our analyses showed genetic differences among Blastocystis subtypes. Our study is the first Blastocystis subtyping study from cattle in Turkey.