Abstract
Blastocystis is one of the most common protozoa in the human gut and a zoonotic organism related to unsanitary living conditions. This protozoon shows a broad distribution, unclear symptomatology, and undefined pathogenicity. In Peru, studies report the presence of Blastocystis in many regions, but the highest prevalence levels are reported in Arequipa. The aim of this study was to link Blastocystis infection with social determinants of health. We recruited and surveyed 232 infected and uninfected participants from houses with at least one Blastocystis-infected person. All samples were concentrated by spin concentration method in saline solution, examined by wet mount under light microscopy and confirmed with methylene-stained stool smear. We found a human Blastocystis prevalence of 51.3% in the study sample. We also found statistical associations between Blastocystis infection and peri-urban location in the city as well as the use of alternative non-domiciliary water supplies, suggesting these are risk factors for human Blastocystis infection.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 700-707 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene |
| Volume | 104 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Feb 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We thank Irmia Paz (UNSA) for her revision and suggestions, Julianna Shinnick for her valuable support and advice related to English review, and Cirilo Neyra for technical support. In addition, we gratefully thank the principals from the schools that participate in the study: Berardo Jesus Carrasco Castro, principal at Sagrado Coraz?n de Jesus 40078 Primary school from Tio Chico, Sachaca. Salome Eliana Alvarez Marquina, principal at T?o Chico Kinder garden school, Sachaca. Deysi Lilian Esquiagola Tapia, principal at Karol Jozef Wojtyla, primary school from Socabaya. We also thank the principal from Jose Carlos Echavarry Osacar, primary school from Tiabaya. We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Universidad Nacional de San Agust?n (UNSA) for the project ?Morphological, Molecular and Clinical Diagnosis of Blastocystis as an emerging disease in humans and its association with the treatment and keeping of animals.? Proyectos de Investigaci?n Aplicada Inicial-2017 Contrato IAI 002-2018-UNSA.
Funding Information:
Financial support: We gratefully acknowledge financial support from the Universidad Nacional de San Agustín (UNSA) for the project “Morphological, Molecular and Clinical Diagnosis of Blastocystis as an emerging disease in humans and its association with the treatment and keeping of animals.” Proyectos de Investigación Aplicada Inicial-2017 Contrato IAI 002-2018-UNSA.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene