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Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders

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01-06-2020 | Respiratory Microbiota | Research article

Association between Blastocystis and body mass index in healthy subjects; a theoretical pilot study

Authors: Hamed Mirjalali, Asal Latifi, Ali Taghipour, Abbas Yadegar, Behzad Hatami, Amir Sadeghi, Mohammad Javad Ehsani, Mohammad Reza Zali

Published in: Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders | Issue 1/2020

Abstract

Background

Blastocystis is a prevalent protozoan of the gut lumen with worldwide distribution. Recent studies showed that this microorganism may alter both richness and diversity of the gut microbiota. In the current study we assessed the dietary intakes in two Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative groups to evaluate the impact of this protozoan on the body mass index (BMI) and the dietary intakes.

Methods

In total, ninety-three participants consisted of 17 and 76 Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative subjects, respectively, were included in this study. Positive cases of Blastocystis had been confirmed by microscopy and culture medium. Moreover, a standard FFQ was filled out for all participants and independent t-test was employed to evaluate the correlation between Blastocystis and the dietary intakes.

Results

From participants, 21/93 (22.58%) and 72/93 (77.42%) were male and female, respectively. The mean age ± SD among Blastocystis-positive and Blastocystis-negative individuals was 39.41 ± 14.60 years and 37.37 ± 13.16 years, respectively. Furthermore, Blastocystis-positive participants had lower weight (67.84 ± 12.29 kg) in comparison to Blastocystis-negative individuals (69.80 ± 14.99 kg). Indeed, BMI of Blastocystis-positive subjects was 25.46 ± 4.66 and lower than Blastocystis-negative subjects 25.89 ± 5.01; (P value = 0.745).

Conclusions

Our findings showed that BMI in Blastocystis-positive subjects was lower than Blastocystis-negative persons. Blastocystis probably affects the dietary intakes and energy metabolism.

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Title: Association between Blastocystis and body mass index in healthy subjects; a theoretical pilot study
Authors: Hamed Mirjalali
Asal Latifi
Ali Taghipour
Abbas Yadegar
Behzad Hatami
Amir Sadeghi
Mohammad Javad Ehsani
Mohammad Reza Zali
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Keywords: Respiratory Microbiota
Protozoa
Published in: Journal of Diabetes & Metabolic Disorders / Issue 1/2020
Electronic ISSN: 2251-6581
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40200-019-00483-2

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