Investigation of Blastocystis hominis Frequency in Patients with Diabetes by Microscopy and Conventional PCR Methods

Maksut  Şahin; Zeynep Taş  Cengiz; Ahmed Galip  Halidi; Selahattin  Aydemir

doi:10.18502/ijpa.v18i2.13186

Maksut Şahin Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Türkiye
Zeynep Taş Cengiz Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Türkiye
Ahmed Galip Halidi Bulanik Vocational School, Mus Alparslan University, Mus, Türkiye
Selahattin Aydemir Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, Van, Türkiye

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ijpa.v18i2.13186

Keywords: Blastocystis hominis; Diabetes; Microscopy; Subtype

Abstract

Background: We aimed to determine the frequency and subtype of B. hominis in diabetic patients.

Methods: One hundred and fifty diabetic patients and 100 healthy people without any chronic disease were included in the study. Stool samples were analyzed by native-Lugol, condensation, trichrome staining and PCR methods.

Results: İn 150 patients with diabetes; B. hominis was detected in 38 (25.3%) by PCR, in 34 (22.7%) by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the control group, 14 (14%) out of 100 subjects were positive by PCR, and 10 (10%) were positive by native-Lugol and trichrome staining. In the statistical evaluation, a significant difference was found between gender (P=0.023), age (P=0.045; ≤35 and >35 comparison), duration of diabetes (P=0.04), the HbA1c value (P=0.023; <8 and ≥8 comparison), and B. hominis positivity. ST1 was determined in 76.9% of patients with diabetes, and ST2 was determined in 23.07%. Considering the 3 methods, B. hominis positivity was detected in 40 patients (26.7%) in diabetic group and in 14 participants (14%) in the control group (P=0.011).

Conclusion: B. hominis is a factor to be considered in patients with diabetes. Herein, the most common subtype detected in the patients with diabetes mellitus was ST1, but this result was not considered sufficient to reveal the importance of the subtype factor in the pathogenicity of B. hominis in patients with diabetes. In this context, there is a need for more comprehensive studies in both diabetic and other immunocompromised patient groups.