Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy
Background. <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. is a common protozoan found in the gastrointestinal tract, typically existing as a non-pathogenic organism in humans and other animals. However, it can become pathogenic when the immune system is compromised due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or other p...
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2025-04-01
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| author | Marianna Ascierto Annalisa Chianese Francesco Foglia Emiliana Finamore Luciana Petrullo Carla Zannella Anna De Filippis Maria Grazia Coppola Massimiliano Galdiero |
| author_facet | Marianna Ascierto Annalisa Chianese Francesco Foglia Emiliana Finamore Luciana Petrullo Carla Zannella Anna De Filippis Maria Grazia Coppola Massimiliano Galdiero |
| author_sort | Marianna Ascierto |
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| description | Background. <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. is a common protozoan found in the gastrointestinal tract, typically existing as a non-pathogenic organism in humans and other animals. However, it can become pathogenic when the immune system is compromised due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or other parasitic infections, as well as systemic conditions, leading to symptomatic blastocystosis. Methods. Fecal samples were collected from patients at the University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” and Cotugno Hospital in Naples. Among these samples, those that tested positive for <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and were associated with other microbial infections were further analyzed. Bacterial co-infections were identified using immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Viral infections were detected using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), while fungal infections were diagnosed through microscopic examination and molecular biology techniques. Additionally, co-infections with other parasites were identified through microscopic analysis after Ridley’s concentration and Giemsa staining (O&P). Results. Out of the 2050 stool samples collected, 121 were positive for <i>Blastocystis</i> spp., of which 75 were associated with other infections. We identified the vacuolar form in patients co-infected with bacteria (<i>n</i> = 22), viruses (<i>n</i> = 30), fungi (<i>n</i> = 3), and other parasites (<i>n</i> = 20). Conclusions. Our findings indicated a higher incidence of the vacuolar form of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. in symptomatic and immunocompromised patients, suggesting that a weakened immune system may increase the risk of contracting Blastocystis and other microbial infections. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e024d20202454e14a3f880881b28c630 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-e024d20202454e14a3f880881b28c6302025-08-20T01:56:38ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-04-0114542510.3390/pathogens14050425Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, ItalyMarianna Ascierto0Annalisa Chianese1Francesco Foglia2Emiliana Finamore3Luciana Petrullo4Carla Zannella5Anna De Filippis6Maria Grazia Coppola7Massimiliano Galdiero8Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Cotugno Hospital, AORN “Ospedali dei Colli”, 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyUnit of Microbiology, Cotugno Hospital, AORN “Ospedali dei Colli”, 80131 Naples, ItalyDepartment of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania “L. Vanvitelli”, 80138 Naples, ItalyBackground. <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. is a common protozoan found in the gastrointestinal tract, typically existing as a non-pathogenic organism in humans and other animals. However, it can become pathogenic when the immune system is compromised due to bacterial, viral, fungal, or other parasitic infections, as well as systemic conditions, leading to symptomatic blastocystosis. Methods. Fecal samples were collected from patients at the University Hospital of Campania “Luigi Vanvitelli” and Cotugno Hospital in Naples. Among these samples, those that tested positive for <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and were associated with other microbial infections were further analyzed. Bacterial co-infections were identified using immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). Viral infections were detected using chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA), while fungal infections were diagnosed through microscopic examination and molecular biology techniques. Additionally, co-infections with other parasites were identified through microscopic analysis after Ridley’s concentration and Giemsa staining (O&P). Results. Out of the 2050 stool samples collected, 121 were positive for <i>Blastocystis</i> spp., of which 75 were associated with other infections. We identified the vacuolar form in patients co-infected with bacteria (<i>n</i> = 22), viruses (<i>n</i> = 30), fungi (<i>n</i> = 3), and other parasites (<i>n</i> = 20). Conclusions. Our findings indicated a higher incidence of the vacuolar form of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. in symptomatic and immunocompromised patients, suggesting that a weakened immune system may increase the risk of contracting Blastocystis and other microbial infections.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/425blastocystosisparasitesgastrointestinal parasitic infectionsenteric pathogens |
| spellingShingle | Marianna Ascierto Annalisa Chianese Francesco Foglia Emiliana Finamore Luciana Petrullo Carla Zannella Anna De Filippis Maria Grazia Coppola Massimiliano Galdiero Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy Pathogens blastocystosis parasites gastrointestinal parasitic infections enteric pathogens |
| title | Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy |
| title_full | Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy |
| title_short | Prevalence of <i>Blastocystis</i> spp. and Other Gastrointestinal Pathogens Among Patients Admitted to Research Hospitals in Campania Region, Italy |
| title_sort | prevalence of i blastocystis i spp and other gastrointestinal pathogens among patients admitted to research hospitals in campania region italy |
| topic | blastocystosis parasites gastrointestinal parasitic infections enteric pathogens |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/5/425 |
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