ArticleMolecular biology reports2025
First molecular identification and genetic diversity of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. in patients with multiple sclerosis in Iran.
Article in Molecular biology reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND
aimsGiardia duodenalis (G. duodenalis) and Blastocystis sp. are common intestinal protists with potential immunomodulatory effects. This study investigated their epidemiology, genetic diversity, and associated risk factors in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) in western Iran, a population with immune dysregulation that may be vulnerable to opportunistic infections.
methodsFrom June 2022 to November 2024, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 116 MS patients attenting neurology clinics in Sanandaj, Iran. Stool samples were analyzed using nested PCR targeting the triosephosphate isomerase(tpi) gene for G. duodenalis and direct PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene for Blastocystis sp. All PCR-positive samples were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was performed using the Maximum Likelihood method. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify risk factors.
resultsThe prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. was 9.48% (11/116) and 12.06% (14/116), respectively. This prevalence is notable compared to some reports in the general Iranian population. Genotyping revealed G. duodenalis assemblages A (36.36%, 4/11) and B (63.64%, 7/11), and Blastocystis sp. subtype 1 (ST1) (28.6%, 4/14), ST2 (35.7%, 5/14), and ST3 (35.7%, 5/14). Multivariate analysis identified younger age (< 30 years; adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 6.10, p = 0.007) and animal contact (AOR = 5.85, p = 0.030) as significant risk factors for G. duodenalis, while female sex (AOR = 8.31, p = 0.009) and animal contact (AOR = 4.79, p = 0.047) were significant for Blastocystis sp. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the genetic diversity and suggested zoonotic potential of the identified isolates.
conclusionThis first molecular study of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis sp. in Iranian MS patients highlights a notable prevalence of these parasites. The significant association with animal contact and the identification of assemblages/subtypes with low host specificity underscore a potential zoonotic risk. These findings suggest that such infections may be underrecognized in MS populations and warrant consideration in clinical management, including potential screening and public health interventions to mitigate risk.
Indexed as
Identifiers
41456244What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.