A longitudinal study of Blastocystis in dairy calves from birth through 24 months demonstrates dynamic shifts in infection rates and subtype prevalence and diversity by age

Authors: Santin-Duran, Monica; Molokin, Aleksey; Maloney, Jenny

Submitted to: Parasites & Vectors
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2023
Publication Date: 6/2/2023
Citation: Santin, M., Molokin, A., Maloney, J.G. 2023. A longitudinal study of Blastocystis in dairy calves from birth through 24 months demonstrates dynamic shifts in infection rates and subtype prevalence and diversity by age. Parasites & Vectors. 16(1):177. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05795-0.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-023-05795-0

Interpretive Summary: Blastocystis is a common intestinal parasite observed in humans and other animals around the world. However, we have yet to define many aspects of the host-parasite relationship during Blastocystis infection. We have conducted the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study of Blastocystis infection ever performed. To achieve this study, dairy calves from Maryland, USA were followed from birth through 24 months of age. Samples were tested for Blastocystis, and subtypes were determined from positive samples. We observed that Blastocystis infection prevalence increased with time, and that significant associations were observed between age groups and infection risk. Thirteen previously reported subtypes (ST1-6, ST10, ST14, ST21, ST23-26) and one potentially novel subtype were observed. We also observed distinct patterns of individual subtype prevalence and chronicity supporting the importance of subtype discrimination in studies of host infection and disease. The data from this study represent a significant advance in our understanding of Blastocystis infection and can be used to inform future studies of Blastocystis epidemiology in both humans and other animal hosts.

Technical Abstract: Blastocystis is a common microeukaryotic intestinal parasite in humans and other animal hosts globally. However, no large-scale longitudinal study has ever been conducted for Blastocystis. To understand patterns of infection prevalence and subtype diversity and their relationship with host age, we have conducted the largest and most comprehensive longitudinal study of Blastocystis infection ever performed. Dairy calves from a herd located in Maryland, USA were followed from birth through 24 months of age, and 990 individual fecal samples from 30 calves were collected over the study period representing three age groups (pre-weaned, post-weaned, and heifer). All samples were screened for Blastocystis via PCR and subtype determination was performed using next generation amplicon sequencing. Associations between age group and infection status were assessed using logistic regression analyses. Blastocystis infection prevalence increased with time, significant associations were observed between age groups and infection risk, and a cumulative prevalence of 100% was observed among the study population during the 24-month period. Thirteen previously reported subtypes (ST1-6, ST10, ST14, ST21, ST23-26) and one potentially novel subtype were observed. Diversity within ST10 supports the need for division of the subtype into new subtype designations. Associations between subtype and age group were explored and relationships between subtypes and infection chronicity are described. While subtype diversity increased with age in the study population, distinct patterns of individual subtype prevalence and chronicity were observed supporting the importance of subtype discrimination in studies of host infection and disease. The data from this study represent a significant advance in our understanding of Blastocystis infection dynamics within a single host population over time and can be used to inform future studies of Blastocystis epidemiology in both humans and other animal hosts.