High Prevalence of Blastocystis Infection (54%) In Chicken Farm Workers

In a study of farmed chickens and their human farm workers in Lebanon, researchers report that 54% of the farm workers, and 32% of the chickens were found to be infected with Blastocystis sp.  The primary subtypes found in chickens were Blastocystis sp. subtype 6 and 7.  Blastocystis sp. subtype 6 was found at a high prevalence in the human workers, in comparison with the more commonly found Blastocystis sp. subtype 3 in other populations, demonstrating the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis transmission to agricultural workers.  The study was published in BMC Parasites and Vectors.

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