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Resistance of Blastocystis to chlorine and hydrogen peroxide

Martín-Escolano, Rubén, Ng, Geok Choo, Tan, Kevin S. W., Stensvold, C. Rune, Gentekaki, Eleni, Tsaousis, Anastasios D. (2023) Resistance of Blastocystis to chlorine and hydrogen peroxide. Parasitology Research, 122 (1). pp. 167-176. ISSN 0932-0113. (doi:10.1007/s00436-022-07713-2) (KAR id:98177)

Abstract

Blastocystis is a ubiquitous, widely distributed protist inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of humans and other animals. The organism is genetically diverse, and so far, at least 28 subtypes (STs) have been identified with ST1–ST9 being the most common in humans. The pathogenicity of Blastocystis is controversial. Several routes of transmission have been proposed including fecal–oral (e.g., zoonotic, anthroponotic) and waterborne. Research on the latter has gained traction in the last few years with the organism having been identified in various bodies of water, tap water, and rainwater collection containers including water that has been previously filtered and/or chlorinated. Herein, we assessed the resistance of 11 strains maintained in culture, spanning ST1–ST9 to various chlorine and hydrogen peroxide concentrations for 24 h, and performed recovery assays along with re-exposure. Following the treatment with both compounds, all subtypes showed increased resistance, and viability could be visualized at the cellular level. These results are hinting at the presence of mechanism of resistance to both chlorine and hydrogen peroxide. As such, this pilot study can be the platform for developing guidelines for water treatment processes.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1007/s00436-022-07713-2
Uncontrolled keywords: Blastocystis, Chlorine resistance, Hydrogen peroxide, Transmission dynamics, Water
Subjects: Q Science > QR Microbiology
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Natural Sciences > Biosciences
Funders: European Cooperation in Science and Technology (https://ror.org/01bstzn19)
Depositing User: Anastasios Tsaousis
Date Deposited: 20 Nov 2022 21:11 UTC
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2024 16:58 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/98177 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Tsaousis, Anastasios D..

Creator's ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5424-1905
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