Blastocystis subtype distribution in domestic and captive wild birds from Brazil using next generation amplicon sequencing

Authors: Maloney, Jenny; MOLOKIN, ALEKSEY - Orise Fellow; CURY, MARCIA - US Department Of Agriculture (USDA); Santin-Duran, Monica; DA CUNHA, MARIA - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais

Submitted to: Parasite Epidemiology and Control
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/13/2020
Publication Date: 1/14/2020
Citation: Maloney, J.G., Molokin, A., Cury, M.C., Santin, M., Da Cunha, M.J. 2020. Blastocystis subtype distribution in domestic and captive wild birds from Brazil using next generation amplicon sequencing. Parasite Epidemiology and Control. 9:e00138. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00138.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parepi.2020.e00138

Interpretive Summary: Blastocystis is an intestinal parasite transmitted via fecal contamination of food and drinking water. It is commonly detected in humans and animals worldwide. Of the nine potentially zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis, seven have been reported in bird species. However molecular studies of Blastocystis subtype diversity in birds are limited. In this study, fecal samples from 109 domestic and captive wild birds from Minas Gerais, Brazil were tested for the presence of Blastocystis using next generation sequencing. Birds from 11 orders and 38 species from both local markets and bird conservation facilities were sampled. Blastocystis was present in 14.7% of samples, and eight subtypes, six previously reported (ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST14, ST24) and two novel subtypes (named ST27 and ST28), were identified. The most commonly identified subtypes were ST7 and ST6 identified in 10 (62.5%) and 6 (37.5%) of 16 Blastocystis positive samples. The three subtypes identified previously in both animals and humans, ST5, ST6, and ST7, were found in 81.3% of Blastocystis positive samples. Multiple Blastocystis subtypes were common in infected birds and identified in 62.5% of positive samples. This study is the first to use next generation sequencing to characterize Blastocystis subtype diversity in birds. The findings presented here indicate birds may serve as reservoirs of zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis and that the role of birds in transmission of Blastocystis to humans requires further study. This information will be of interest to other scientists, veterinarians and public health agencies.

Technical Abstract: Blastocystis is a food and water borne intestinal parasite commonly identified in humans and many other animals worldwide. Of the nine potentially zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis, seven have been reported in bird species. However molecular studies of Blastocystis subtype diversity in birds are limited. In this study, fecal samples from 109 domestic and captive wild birds from Minas Gerais, Brazil were tested for the presence of Blastocystis using next generation amplicon sequencing of the SSU rRNA gene. Birds from 11 orders and 38 species from both local markets and bird conservation facilities were sampled. Blastocystis was present in 14.7% of samples, and eight subtypes, six previously reported (ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST14, ST24) and two novel subtypes (named ST27 and ST28), were identified. The most commonly identified subtypes were ST7 and ST6 identified in 10 (62.5%) and 6 (37.5%) of 16 Blastocystis positive samples. The three zoonotic subtypes identified, ST5, ST6, and ST7, were found in 81.3% of Blastocystis positive samples. Multiple Blastocystis subtypes were common in infected birds and identified in 62.5% of positive samples. This study is the first to use next generation amplicon sequencing to characterize Blastocystis subtype diversity in birds. The findings presented here indicate birds may serve as reservoirs of zoonotic subtypes of Blastocystis and that the role of birds in transmission of Blastocystis to humans requires further study.