Publications

Journal Article Epublish 1 citation

PubMed: 40507689 DOI: 10.3390/jcm14113928

Molecular Identification of Blastocystis Subtypes in the Cervix: A Study on Polish Patients.

J Clin Med 14(11)

Authors: Barbara Suchońska, Adam Kaczmarek, Maria Wesołowska, Daniel Młocicki, Rusłan Sałamatin

Affiliations

  • 1st Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-015 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Science. Collegium Medicum, Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw, 01-938 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Department of Parasitology and Vector-Borne Diseases, National Institute of Public Health NIH-National Research Institute, 00-791 Warsaw, Poland.
  • Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, 50-345 Wrocław, Poland.
  • Department of General Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-004 Warsaw, Poland.

Abstract

Background: Blastocystis is a common protozoan often found in the gastrointestinal tract of humans. The presence of Blastocystis in the female genital tract-has been reported three times, but the genetic material of the protozoan from this site has been identified only once. Methods: Patients with cervical erosions were enrolled in the study. Samples were collected using dry swabs. Blastocystis DNA was detected using real-time PCR and sequenced. Results: Thirty patients with cervical erosions were examined. The presence of Blastocystis genetic material was confirmed in nine female patients. Blastocystis subtypes ST1, ST6, and ST7 were recovered from the ectocervix and distal part of the cervical canal of women with large, symptomatic glandular ectopies resistant to standard treatment. In one case, we identified a Blastocystis subtype ST7 in the material from the cervix, which was different from subtype ST3 found in the anus of the same woman. Conclusions: This observation indicates a possible role for Blastocystis in cervical erosions and suggests that eradication of these organisms may relieve this condition.

MeSH

Cervix Uteri