The contribution of Blastocystis from non-human hosts to zoonotic transmission is only partly known. The objective of this study was to determine the distribution of Blastocystis genetic subtypes in different animal species in United Arab Emirates. A total of 114 stool samples were tested using PCR of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and sequence analysis. Twenty-three Blastocystis-positive samples were identified. The following detection rates were observed: cattle, 22.7%; sheep, 63.6%; rabbits, 33.3%; rodents, 37.5%; reptiles, 21.2%. Four subtypes were identified in this study; ST4, ST10, ST14, and ST17; ST10 was isolated from sheep and cattle, corroborating previous data indicating that these are natural hosts for this subtype. Cases of mixed subtype colonization were also detected. Conspicuously, we found ST14 in rabbits. The discovery of ST17 in a squirrel indicates a novel host for this subtype. Furthermore, the discovery of ST4 in rodents suggests that these may serve as reservoir for human Blastocystis ST4 colonization. Six tortoises and one iguana were positive for Blastocystis. In conclusion, this is the first report of Blastocystis infection in various animals in the UAE. Apart from ST4, no potentially zoonotic subtypes were detected.

来自非人类宿主的胚芽孢杆菌对人畜共患病传播的贡献仅是部分已知的。这项研究的目的是确定在阿拉伯联合酋长国不同动物物种中Blastocystis基因亚型的分布。使用小亚基（SSU）rRNA基因的PCR和序列分析对总共114个粪便样品进行了测试。第二十三囊胚鉴定阳性样品。观察到以下检出率：牛，22.7％；绵羊63.6％兔子，33.3％; 啮齿动物，37.5％; 爬行动物，占21.2％。在这项研究中确定了四个亚型。ST4，ST10，ST14和ST17；ST10是从绵羊和牛中分离出来的，证实了先前的数据，这些数据表明它们是该亚型的天然宿主。还发现了混合亚型定植的病例。明显地，我们在兔子中发现了ST14。松鼠中ST17的发现表明该亚型是新型宿主。此外，在啮齿动物中ST4的发现表明它们可能充当人类Blastocystis ST4定植的宿主。六只乌龟和一只鬣蜥对囊胚呈阳性。总而言之，这是首次报告囊藻在阿联酋的各种动物中感染。除ST4外，未检测到任何潜在的人畜共患亚型。