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  • Disentangling social, environmental, and zoonotic transmission pathways of a gastrointestinal protozoan ( Blastocystis spp.) in northeast Madagascar
Title: Disentangling social, environmental, and zoonotic transmission pathways of a gastrointestinal protozoan ( Blastocystis spp.) in northeast Madagascar
Abstract ObjectivesUnderstanding disease transmission is a fundamental challenge in ecology. We used transmission potential networks to investigate whether a gastrointestinal protozoan (Blastocystisspp.) is spread through social, environmental, and/or zoonotic pathways in rural northeast Madagascar. Materials and MethodsWe obtained survey data, household GPS coordinates, and fecal samples from 804 participants. Surveys inquired about social contacts, agricultural activity, and sociodemographic characteristics. Fecal samples were screened forBlastocystisusing DNA metabarcoding. We also tested 133 domesticated animals forBlastocystis. We used network autocorrelation models and permutation tests (networkk‐test) to determine whether networks reflecting different transmission pathways predicted infection. ResultsWe identified six distinctBlastocystissubtypes among study participants and their domesticated animals. Among the 804 human participants, 74% (n = 598) were positive for at least oneBlastocystissubtype. Close proximity to infected households was the most informative predictor of infection with any subtype (model averaged OR [95% CI]: 1.56 [1.33–1.82]), and spending free time with infected participants was not an informative predictor of infection (model averaged OR [95% CI]: 0.95 [0.82–1.10]). No human participant was infected with the same subtype as the domesticated animals they owned. DiscussionOur findings suggest thatBlastocystisis most likely spread through environmental pathways within villages, rather than through social or animal contact. The most likely mechanisms involve fecal contamination of the environment by infected individuals or shared food and water sources. These findings shed new light on human‐pathogen ecology and mechanisms for reducing disease transmission in rural, low‐income settings.  more » « less
Award ID(s):
2341234
PAR ID:
10542452
Author(s) / Creator(s):
 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  
Publisher / Repository:
Wiley Blackwell (John Wiley & Sons)
Date Published:
Journal Name:
American Journal of Biological Anthropology
ISSN:
2692-7691
Format(s):
Medium: X
Sponsoring Org:
National Science Foundation
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