No Trace of Blastocystis Parasite in Bats Caught in the Western and Southwestern Regions of Iran

BACKGROUND: Blastocystis is a common parasite found in the human intestine, causing symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhoea. Bats are potential hosts for this parasite, but little is known about their infection with Blastocystis. OBJECTIVE: Given the diversity of bat species in Iran, this study aimed to investigate Blastocystis infection in bats caught in the southwestern and western regions of the country. METHODS: Faecal samples were collected from 115 bats from five caves located in Fars, Kurdistan, and Kermanshah provinces. DNA was extracted, using the phenol-chloroform method, and PCR was performed to identify the Blastocystis 18S rRNA gene. Information on bat species was analysed descriptively. RESULTS: The four main bat species caught were Miniopterus pallidus (40%, n = 46), Myotis blythii (40%, n = 46), Rhinopoma microphyllum (12.18%, n = 14), and Rhinolophus euryale (7.82%, n = 9). However, none of the 115 stool samples examined showed evidence of Blastocystis infection by the molecular PCR method. CONCLUSION: This study found no evidence of Blastocystis infection in the bat species examined. The unique lifestyle and diet of bats, such as living on cave walls and roofs, may explain this absence. Further studies are needed to clarify the role of bats in the epidemiology of Blastocystis in other regions of Iran.