Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in patients with colorectal cancer in Taiwan

Chen-Chieh Liao; Chun Hsien Chen; Chih Ming Tsai; Pok Man Cheang; Wei Chen Lin; Po Chuan Chen; Chien Chin Chen; Chun Ting Chu

doi:10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7

Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in patients with colorectal cancer in Taiwan

Chen-Chieh Liao
, Chun Hsien Chen
, Chih Ming Tsai
, Pok Man Cheang
, Wei Chen Lin
, Po Chuan Chen
, Chien Chin Chen
, Chun Ting Chu

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Blastocystis sp., an understudied intestinal protozoan associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, has an unclear role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite available international data, the epidemiology of Blastocystis infection in Taiwanese CRC patients has not been established. In this study, we investigated its prevalence by analyzing samples from 56 CRC patients at National Cheng Kung University Hospital from August 2021 to July 2022. The cohort consisted of 32 males (57.1%) and 24 females (42.9%) with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.4 years. We found the overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. to be 28.6%, with males exhibiting a higher rate. Notably, the infection was detected across all stages and grades of CRC within our study group.

Original language	English
Article number	1826
Journal	BMC infectious diseases
Volume	25
Issue number	1
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7
Publication status	Published - 2025 Dec

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

Infectious Diseases

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10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7

Cite this

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title = "Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in patients with colorectal cancer in Taiwan",

abstract = "Blastocystis sp., an understudied intestinal protozoan associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, has an unclear role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite available international data, the epidemiology of Blastocystis infection in Taiwanese CRC patients has not been established. In this study, we investigated its prevalence by analyzing samples from 56 CRC patients at National Cheng Kung University Hospital from August 2021 to July 2022. The cohort consisted of 32 males (57.1\%) and 24 females (42.9\%) with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.4 years. We found the overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. to be 28.6\%, with males exhibiting a higher rate. Notably, the infection was detected across all stages and grades of CRC within our study group.",

author = "Chen-Chieh Liao and Chen, \{Chun Hsien\} and Tsai, \{Chih Ming\} and Cheang, \{Pok Man\} and Lin, \{Wei Chen\} and Chen, \{Po Chuan\} and Chen, \{Chien Chin\} and Chu, \{Chun Ting\}",

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doi = "10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7",

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T1 - Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in patients with colorectal cancer in Taiwan

AU - Liao, Chen-Chieh

AU - Chen, Chun Hsien

AU - Tsai, Chih Ming

AU - Cheang, Pok Man

AU - Lin, Wei Chen

AU - Chen, Po Chuan

AU - Chen, Chien Chin

AU - Chu, Chun Ting

PY - 2025/12

Y1 - 2025/12

N2 - Blastocystis sp., an understudied intestinal protozoan associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, has an unclear role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite available international data, the epidemiology of Blastocystis infection in Taiwanese CRC patients has not been established. In this study, we investigated its prevalence by analyzing samples from 56 CRC patients at National Cheng Kung University Hospital from August 2021 to July 2022. The cohort consisted of 32 males (57.1%) and 24 females (42.9%) with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.4 years. We found the overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. to be 28.6%, with males exhibiting a higher rate. Notably, the infection was detected across all stages and grades of CRC within our study group.

AB - Blastocystis sp., an understudied intestinal protozoan associated with gastrointestinal symptoms, has an unclear role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Despite available international data, the epidemiology of Blastocystis infection in Taiwanese CRC patients has not been established. In this study, we investigated its prevalence by analyzing samples from 56 CRC patients at National Cheng Kung University Hospital from August 2021 to July 2022. The cohort consisted of 32 males (57.1%) and 24 females (42.9%) with a mean age of 62.2 ± 10.4 years. We found the overall prevalence of Blastocystis sp. to be 28.6%, with males exhibiting a higher rate. Notably, the infection was detected across all stages and grades of CRC within our study group.

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U2 - 10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7

DO - 10.1186/s12879-025-12177-7

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AN - SCOPUS:105026241531

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VL - 25

JO - BMC infectious diseases

JF - BMC infectious diseases

IS - 1

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ER -

Prevalence of Blastocystis infection in patients with colorectal cancer in Taiwan

Abstract

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All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

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