Ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies on Blastocystis isolates from cockroaches

J Eukaryot Microbiol. 2007 Jan-Feb;54(1):33-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1550-7408.2006.00141.x.

Abstract

Four Blastocystis isolates from cockroaches were established and these isolates were morphologically confirmed as Blastocystis organisms by light and/or electron microscopy. As these isolates were morphologically indistinguishable from Blastocystis isolated from other animals, phylogenetic analyses were conducted using their small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. A analyses of these sequences with previously reported ones that had been classified into nine Blastocystis clades indicated the presence of a new clade that comprised only Blastocystis organisms from cockroaches (clade X). A clade comprised of amphibian and reptilian Blastocystis organisms (clade IX) was located at the basal position of the Blastocystis tree together with the common ancestor of Proteromonas and Protoopalina, clade X emerged after the divergences of these two basal clades and its branching position was clearly supported by bootstrap analysis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blastocystis / classification*
  • Blastocystis / genetics
  • Blastocystis / isolation & purification
  • Blastocystis / ultrastructure*
  • Cockroaches / parasitology*
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Genes, rRNA
  • Phylogeny
  • Sequence Alignment

Substances

  • DNA, Ribosomal