Blastocystis subtypes isolated from travelers and non-travelers from the north of Poland – A single center study

Blastocystis is a common, enteric protist of humans and animals with a worldwide distribution and unclear clinical relevance. Nine out of 17 genetically diverse subtypes occur in humans. We analysed the distribution of Blastocystis subtypes and the intensity of invasion in relation to the gastrointestinal tract disorders and travels to different continents. 122 Blastocystis stool cultures were subtyped via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with seven pairs of subtype-specific, sequence-tagged-site (STS) primers. Five subtypes of Blastocystis were detected: ST3 (59%), ST2 (19.7%), ST1 (13.1%), ST6 (3.3%), ST7 (3.3%), and two mixed infections with ST1/ST3 (1.6%). ST1 was detected exclusively in travelers to hot climate zones and ST2 was found more frequently in people visiting other continents compared to those who never left Poland. We found no correlation between gastrointestinal tract disorders, Blastocystis STs, and parasite load. There was no age predisposition to the Blastocystis infection. We established the distribution of Blastocystis STs among Poles traveling to different continents and never leaving Poland. Our study sheds more light on the problem of importing Blastocystis infection. It shows that certain subtypes detected in Europe can be imported due to travel or migration. Collecting data on the travel history of the surveyed persons is necessary to clarify this matter.