Restriction-fragment-length polymorphism analysis of small-subunit rRNA genes of Blastocystis isolates from animal hosts

The anaerobic enteric protozoan organism Blastocystis sp. has been identifi ed from mammalian, avian, reptilian, and arthropod hosts. Eight Blastocysti s isolates from Rye animal host species (cow, goat,sheep, guinea pig, and r hea) were compared by small-subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) restriction-fr agment-length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses using five restriction endonucle ases. The isolates sorted into five genotypes. Multiple genotypes were foun d in isolates from a single animal host species, and multiple host species shared a single genotype. A molecular method such as RFLP analysis of ssu r RNA genes facilitates the characterization of Blastocystis isolates from va rious host species.