Blastocystis infection and subtype distribution in humans, cattle, goats, and pigs in central and western Thailand

Blastocystis is a common intestinal pathogen of humans and a variety of animals, with various host-specific subtypes. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in humans and domestic animals, Thailand. 113 stool samples were collected from pigs, goats, and cattle in Ayutthaya Province (AP; central Thailand) and 218 stool samples were collected from pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, and humans in Kanchanaburi Province (KP; western Thailand). Blastocystis was detected by nested PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene. Subtypes were identified by DNA sequencing, and phylogenetic analysis was conducted. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis in animals was 76.1% (86/113) and 11.88% (12/101) in AP and KP, respectively, and the prevalence in humans was 12.82% (15/117) in KP. The prevalence of Blastocystis in the AP and KP pigs were 87.88% (29/33) and 20.37% (11/54), respectively. Blastocystis ST5 was the most abundant in pigs in both areas while Blastocystis ST10 and ST12 were most frequently found in cattle and goats. In addition, low percentage of Blastocystis ST1 and Blastocystis ST14 were found in pigs and goats, respectively. In this study, Blastocystis ST3, followed by ST2 and ST1 were predominantly found in humans. In conclusion, pigs may be a natural host of Blastocystis and this ST may be the pig-adapted ST in the studied areas, in this study. [Display omitted] •High percentages of Blastocystis infection in AP and KP pigs (87.88% and 20.37% respectively), cattle (50%), goat (94.74%) and humans (12.82%) and this study was the first report of Blastocystis infection in cattle and goats in Thailand.•Blastocystis ST5 was the predominant subtype in both AP and KP pigs and this ST may be the pig-adapted ST in the studied areas, in this study.•Pigs may be a natural host of Blastocystis, in this study.