Blastocystis in the Cervix of Polish Women: a Subtype Found in a Parenteral Location is Different to That Found in the Anus

Objective: The presence of Blastocystis spp. in a parenteral location in the female genital tract has been reported three times. The genetic material of the protozoan has been identified only once. Methods: Blastocystis DNA was detected using real-time PCR. Results: Thirty patients with so-called cervical erosions were examined. The presence of Blastocystis genetic material was confirmed in nine women. The authors are the first to confirm and identify the DNA of Blastocystis subtype ST1, ST6, and ST7 in samples taken from the ectocervix and the distal part of the cervical canal of women with large, symptomatic glandular ectopies which were resistant to standard treatment. In one case, in material from the cervix we identified a Blastocystis subtype which was different to that found in the anus of the same woman. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that the presence of Blastocystis in the cervix is not, in any obvious way, associated with hygienic issues or neglect, but could be the result of women having vaginal intercourse with heterosexual men in whose semen this protozoan occurs. The possibility of Blastocystis occurrence in semen has been confirmed by recent publications as well as our own unpublished results. This discovery gives hope for the eradication of these organisms and thus to curing patients with chronic gynaecological problems. ### Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. ### Funding Statement This study did not receive any funding. ### Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Bioethical Committee of Medical University of Warsaw gave ethical approval for this work. I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes All data produced in the present study are available upon reasonable request to the authors