Molecular characterization of blastocystis isolates infecting farm animals in Victoria and Pila, Laguna, Philippines

Issue Date

9-2016

Abstract

The prevalence of Blastocystis carriage and subtypes (STs) of Blastocystis sp. infecting farm animals in Victoria and Pila, Laguna, Philippines were determined in this study. Fecal samples from backyard-raised pigs (n=99), cows (n=3) and goats (n=6) and cloacal swabs from chickens (n=34), ducks (n=31), pigeons (n=4), geese (n=2) and turkeys (n=3) were taken. The samples collected were inoculated into a biphasic medium containing horse serum and antibiotics, penicillin and streptomycin. Cells of Blastocystis sp. were harvested for DNA extraction and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using primers RD5 and BhRDr. Blastocystis sp. was found in 29 of 182 animals (15.9%) with 24 isolates from animal fecal samples and 5 from anal/cloacal swabs. The Blastocystis sp. positive samples were from pigs (n=20), chickens (n=5), ducks (n=3), and goat (n=1). ST1, ST5, and ST7 were found in pigs while ST7 was commonly identified in chickens and ducks. There were also two animals with mixed infections. The presence of ST7 infecting a pig, ST14 infecting a goat, and Blastocystis pythoni possibly infecting a duck shows novel host-subtype infection in Philippine farm animals.

Source or Periodical Title

Philippine Agricultural Scientist

ISSN

0031-7454

Volume

99

Issue

3

Page

304-310

Document Type

Article

Physical Description

illustrations, tables

Language

English

Subject

Blastocystis sp., Farm animals, Laguna, PCR, Philippines, Subtypes

Digital Copy

yes

Link to Full Text

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