Introduction
We are writing to emphasise the importance of comprehensive research on Blastocystis using a One Health approach. Integrating medical, veterinary, public, and environmental health research is essential to understanding the role of Blastocystis in health and disease. Despite its prevalence in over one billion people1 and numerous animal species, the role of Blastocystis in health and disease remains controversial2. Current studies offer conflicting views, necessitating a unified approach to unravelling its true impact on health3.
Background and importance
Blastocystis (Figure 1) is a ubiquitous intestinal eukaryotic microbe found in both humans and animals. Emerging data suggest that its prevalence in herbivorous animals is higher than previously thought4,5. Despite numerous studies, there is still significant debate regarding its pathogenicity. While some researchers consider Blastocystis to be a harmless commensal organism, others consider it as a cause of gastrointestinal symptoms3,6. This ambiguity highlights the need for a comprehensive and integrated research approach under the One Health perspective7.
Figure 1. Overview of Blastocystis cells in xenic culture.
Microscopy picture provided by Dr Vasana Jinatham (Mae Fah Lunag University, Thailand).
The European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) Action CA21105, titled "Blastocystis under One Health" (OneHealthBlastocystis), seeks to address these challenges by fostering a multidisciplinary network of researchers and professionals8,9. This initiative aims to harmonise diagnostic methodologies, establish a comprehensive databank and biobank, and promote information sharing and capacity building among stakeholders. By integrating advances across medical, veterinary, public, and environmental health domains, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of Blastocystis and its implications for health and disease.
Objectives and goals
The primary objective of the COST Action CA21105 (8 see MoU) is to create a multidisciplinary network to enhance research on Blastocystis. The specific goals of this initiative include:
- Developing standardised methodologies for the detection and subtyping of Blastocystis to ensure consistency and reliability in research findings.
- Establishing a comprehensive Blastocystis subtype databank and biobank and microbiome databank to consolidate existing data and facilitate new research.
- Promoting capacity building through training schools, workshops, and short-term scientific missions (STSM) to expand expertise and foster collaboration among researchers, clinicians, and public health professionals.
- Disseminating knowledge and fostering communication with veterinarians, physicians, and the general public to increase awareness and understanding of Blastocystis.
Working groups and their aims
The initiative is structured into several working groups (Figure 2), each with specific aims and tasks to address different aspects of Blastocystis research:
Figure 2. PERT chart summarising the holistic approach of the Blastocystis under One Health COST Action.
WG1: Mapping Blastocystis epidemiology and diagnostics
- Objective: Harmonise diagnostic methodologies and interpretive criteria across Europe.
- Tasks: Review current practices, introduce quality assurance mechanisms, and assess microbiological practices. This group aims to create a common understanding of Blastocystis under the One Health umbrella by identifying and addressing gaps in current diagnostic approaches.
WG2: Blastocystis collection and database
- Objective: Establish and maintain both a databank and biobank of Blastocystis subtypes and microbiome data.
- Tasks: Develop material and data transfer agreements, create a comprehensive database including epidemiological and ‘omics data along with a subtypes database. The databank, subtypes database, along with a subtype’s biobank, will be crucial resources for researchers, providing access to standardised data and facilitating collaborative studies.
WG3: Blastocystis ‘omics generation and analyses
- Objective: Analyse genomic, proteomic, and metabolomic data to better understand Blastocystis.
- Tasks: Organise and analyse existing genomic data, generate new ‘omics data, and integrate findings into the database. This group will focus on understanding the molecular and genetic aspects of Blastocystis, contributing to a deeper knowledge of its biology and potential pathogenicity.
WG4: Blastocystis in vivo and in vitro investigations
- Objective: Investigate the role of Blastocystis in the gut microbiome and develop culturing methods.
- Tasks: Analyse microbiome data from humans and animals, develop protocols for culturing Blastocystis, and compare metabolomic data. This group aims to explore the interactions between Blastocystis and other gut microbes, providing insights into its ecological role and potential health effects.
WG5: Dissemination and education
- Objective: Promote knowledge dissemination and educational activities.
- Tasks: Develop an Action website, produce teaching materials, coordinate training schools and workshops, and publish an open-access book on Blastocystis research. This group will ensure that the findings and methodologies developed during the project are widely shared and accessible to both the scientific community and the public.
Capacity building
The CA21105 COST Action aims to build a sustainable network of stakeholders from various disciplines and countries. Focus areas include:
- Facilitating training schools, workshops and STSMs to expand expertise. By organising training schools and workshops, the Action will provide opportunities for researchers, clinicians, and other stakeholders to enhance their skills and knowledge in Blastocystis research.
- Encouraging involvement of young researchers and innovators, especially from countries with limited resources. This initiative places a strong emphasis on supporting early-career researchers and ensuring that expertise is built across a wide geographical area, including regions with fewer resources.
Future prospects
The Action outlines future research initiatives to understand Blastocystis better and support the development of potential market applications (e.g. inclusion of Blastocystis in faecal microbiota transplantations or as probiotic formulations in both humans and other animals). The comprehensive databank and standardised methodologies developed by this initiative will serve as valuable resources for future studies. By harmonising diagnostics and fostering collaboration, the Action aims to improve public health policies and advance our understanding of Blastocystis.
Specific future prospects include:
- Developing novel hypotheses to test the role of Blastocystis in the gut ecosystem, health, and disease. This could lead to ground-breaking discoveries about its interactions with other microorganisms and its impact on gut health.
- Expanding knowledge on the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in humans and animals. This information is crucial for understanding transmission dynamics and identifying potential zoonotic and environmental sources of infection.
- Generating new insights into the biology and ecology of Blastocystis. Researchers can gain a deeper understanding of its role in health and disease by studying its interactions with the gut microbiome and its responses to different environmental conditions.
- Developing new diagnostic tools and treatment guidelines. The standardised methodologies and comprehensive databank will enable the development of more accurate and efficient diagnostic tools and evidence-based treatment guidelines.
- Promoting the use of Blastocystis as a model organism and potential probiotic. The initiative will explore the potential of Blastocystis to be used as a model organism for studying gut microbiota and as a probiotic for promoting gut health.
Conclusion
By adopting a One Health approach, this initiative will significantly advance our understanding of Blastocystis. We call on the global research community to collaborate in this multidisciplinary effort to improve health outcomes. The COST Action CA21105, "Blastocystis under One Health" (OneHealthBlastocystis), represents a unique opportunity to bridge gaps in current knowledge, harmonise diagnostic methodologies, and promote innovative research. Through the collaborative efforts of researchers, clinicians, public health professionals, and other stakeholders, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of Blastocystis and its role in health and disease. This initiative will not only contribute to scientific knowledge and development but also have practical applications in public health, diagnostics, and treatment.
We urge readers to support this crucial initiative and encourage researchers from diverse fields to join this collaborative effort. Together, we can achieve significant advancements in Blastocystis research and improve health outcomes for people and animals worldwide.
Disclaimer
The views expressed in this article are those of the authors. Publication in Open Research Europe does not imply endorsement by COST Actions.
Ethics and consent
Ethical approval and written consent were not required.
Data availability statement
No data are associated with this article.
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