Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41714587›Full record

ArticleZoonoses and public health2026

Prevalence and Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis sp. in Humans, Dogs and Cats in Gabon: A One Health Perspective.

P Makouloutou-Nzassi, N M Longo-Pendy, G Ndong Atome, N Mpassy, F Bangueboussa, N C Atiga, A P Okouga, N B N'dilimabaka, S L Oyegue-Liabagui, J B Lekana-Douki and 1 more

Abstract read
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In one paragraph

Article in Zoonoses and public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Importance of human microbiome: an update.Frontiers in microbiomes · 2026
    Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

P Makouloutou-NzassiDépartement de Biologie et Ecologie Animale, Institut de Recherche en Ecologie Tropicale (IRET/CENAREST), Libreville, Gabon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0192-5972
N M Longo-PendyUnité de Recherche en Ecologie de la Santé, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon.
G Ndong AtomeDepartment of Biochimie, Faculty of Science, Masuku University of Science and Technology (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
N MpassyUnité de Recherche en Ecologie de la Santé, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon.
F BangueboussaUnité de Recherche en Ecologie de la Santé, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon.
N C AtigaUnit of Evolution, Epidemiology and Parasite Resistance (UNEEREP), Franceville Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.
A P OkougaUnit of Evolution, Epidemiology and Parasite Resistance (UNEEREP), Franceville Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.
N B N'dilimabakaDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Masuku University of Science and Technology (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
S L Oyegue-LiabaguiUnit of Evolution, Epidemiology and Parasite Resistance (UNEEREP), Franceville Interdisciplinary Center for Medical Research (CIRMF), Franceville, Gabon.
J B Lekana-DoukiDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Masuku University of Science and Technology (USTM), Franceville, Gabon.
L BoundengaUnité de Recherche en Ecologie de la Santé, Centre Interdisciplinaire de Recherches Médicales de Franceville, Franceville, Gabon.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9551-3017

Funding

CANTAM 1045 CANTAM2 EDCTP ReNet2015
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionBlastocystis sp. is a cosmopolitan protist that colonises the gastrointestinal tract of mammals, including humans, dogs and cats. Although its pathogenicity remains debated, Blastocystis sp. has been linked to gastrointestinal symptoms and alterations in the gut microbiota. In Gabon, most epidemiological data on Blastocystis sp. rely on microscopy, which may underestimate true prevalence. Moreover, molecular studies remain scarce, and none have investigated the parasite's presence in domestic animals. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence and subtype (ST) distribution of Blastocystis sp. in humans, dogs and cats across three provinces of Gabon, within a One Health framework.

methodsBetween June 2021 and November 2022, a total of 182 faecal samples were collected: 127 from children in the Mulundu department (Ogooué-Lolo), 55 from both dogs and cats in Libreville (Estuaire) and Franceville (Haut-Ogooué). Samples were screened for the presence of Blastocystis sp. using conventional PCR targeting the SSU rRNA gene, positive isolates were subtyped.

resultsBlastocystis sp. was detected in 58.3% of human samples, with a significant association between infection and place of residence (p = 0.02, fisher's exact test). Among animals, the parasite was found in 18.2% (8/44) of dogs and 36.4% (4/11) of cats. Subtyping revealed ST1 and ST3 in humans, while only ST1 was found in dogs. No subtypes were resolved in cats. These findings confirm the high circulation of Blastocystis sp. in both humans and domestic animals in Gabon and highlight the potential for zoonotic transmission.

conclusionThis study provides the first molecular evidence of Blastocystis sp. infection in animals in Gabon and underscores the need for integrated surveillance strategies to better understand its epidemiology.

Indexed as

BlastocystisBlastocystis InfectionsCat DiseasesDog DiseasesGenetic VariationAnimalsCatsChildDogsFecesFemaleGabonHumansPrevalenceBlastocystis sp.catsdogsGabonhumansOne Healthprevalencesubtypes

Identifiers

PMID41714587
PMCPMC13053637

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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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.