English (United Kingdom)

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/featured_content/oa?rat=en

https://curated-unify.zendy.io/wp-json/zendy-region/v1/highlighted_journal/

Global: Zendy Plus annual

Presents the access of premium content as premium feature

Premium Content

Presents the keyphrase highlighting as premium feature

Keyphrase Highlighting

Presents the summarisation as premium feature

Summarisation

Insights

Presents the pdf analysis as premium feature

PDF Analysis

Presents the zaia usage as premium feature

ZAIA

Global: Zendy Tools annual

Global: Zendy Free Plan

Global: Zendy Tools monthly

Global: Zendy Plus monthly

Background   Blastocystis  is one of the most common intestinal protozoa in human faecal samples with uncertain impact on public health .  Studies on the prevalence of  Blastocystis  in HIV-positive patients are limited and dated.    Methods  A cross-sectional study was carried out involving 156 HIV-positive patients to evaluate the prevalence of  Blastocystis -subtypes by molecular amplification and sequencing the small subunit rRNA gene (SSU rDNA), to identify the risk factors for its transmission, to examine the relationship between the presence of the protist and gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, the evaluation of the faecal calprotectin by immunoassay from a sample of subjects was performed to evaluate the gut inflammation in  Blastocystis- carriers.    Results   Blastocystis- subtypes ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4 were identified in 39 HIV-positive patients (25%). No correlation was found between the presence of the protist and virological or epidemiological risk factors.  Blastocystis  was more frequently detected in homosexual subjects ( p  = 0.037) infected by other enteric protozoa ( p  = 0.0001) and with flatulence ( p  = 0.024). No significant differences in calprotectin level was found between  Blastocystis- carriers and free ones.    Conclusions   Blastocystis  is quite common in HIV-positive patients on ART showing in examined patients 25% prevalence. Homosexual behaviour may represent a risk factor for its transmission, while CD4 count and viremia didn’t correlate with the presence of the protist. The pathogenetic role of  Blastocystis  remains unclear and no gut inflammation status was detected in  Blastocystis- carriers. The only symptom associated with  Blastocystis  was the flatulence, evidencing a link between the presence of the protist and the composition and stability of gut microbiota.

Molecular characterization of Blastocystis subtypes in HIV-positive patients and evaluation of risk factors for colonization