Index

e-ISSN 1828-1427

 

Rivista trimestrale di Sanità Pubblica Veterinaria edita dall'Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale’

A quarterly journal devoted to veterinary public health, veterinary science and medicine published by the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Abruzzo e del Molise ‘G. Caporale’ in Teramo, Italy


Editorial policy
Copyright and disclaimers
Guidelines for Authors
Editors
Honorary Members
Editorial Board
Scientific Advisory Board
Associate Editors
Issues online
Tariffs
Contact
 

ISSUES ONLINE

2008 - Volume 44 (4) October-December
   
 
Constantine M. Vassalos, Chryssanthy Papadopoulou & Nicholas C. Vakalis  
Blastocystosis: an emerging or re-emerging potential zoonosis? 679-684
       

Summary
Blastocystis sp. is an intestinal protozoa that was formerly recognised as a yeast. However, it has since been classified in the Stramenopile Kingdom. In addition to being observed in humans, the disease has been diagnosed in a wide range of animals (mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles and arthropods). Extensive genetic heterogeneity has been demonstrated. Blastocystis sp. subtypes 1 to 9 were recently considered to be of zoonotic origin. While some suggested that Blastocystis might play a pathogenic role in intestinal disorders in humans, others reported that there was no correlation. Furthermore, amoeboid forms of Blastocystis might be implicated in pathogenesis. In spite of recent reports, earlier data on the prevalence of the parasite suggest that blastocystosis could have occurred sporadically or continuously in the past. It might be speculated that in cases of zoonotic genotypes producing amoeboid forms, Blastocystis sp. infection might rather be considered a potential re-emerging zoonosis.

Keywords
Amoeba, Blastocystis, Culture, Public health, Travel, Zoonosis.


Full article

     
 
    © Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell'Abruzzo e del Molise 2008