Epidemiological and Molecular Characterization of Blastocystis Infection in Children Attending Daycare Centers in Medellin, Colombia.

ABSTRACT: The present study aims to perform an epidemiological and molecular characterization of Blastocystis infection in a child population attending daycare centers of Medellín, Colombia. A total of 265 children aged 0-5 years were enrolled in five children's centers in urban sectors of Medellín, northwestern Colombia. Stool samples were taken to identify intestinal parasites by direct examination, Ritchie-Frick concentration, and molecular identification of Blastocystis by conventional PCR and subtype (ST) identification by PCR barcoding with subsequent phylogenetic reconstruction. Kappa index was calculated to evaluate the agreement between microscopy and PCR for the diagnosis of Blastocystis. The prevalence of intestinal protozoa was 36.6% (97/265), with Blastocystis as the most frequent paras

SUBMITTER: Osorio-Pulgarin MI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8301444 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature