Tracking Blastocystis sp. in mussels from Northern France in a One Health context: Seasonal dynamics, implications in marine fecal pollution and risk in human health

Blastocystis sp. is an intestinal protozoan with recognized zoonotic potential that is increasingly investigated in animals closely associated with humans or intended for food production. However, studies on mollusks remain limited, despite their high filtration capacity and ability to accumulate biological contaminants, making them valuable indicators of environmental pollution. Within a One Health framework, this study investigated the seasonal circulation of Blastocystis sp. in a coastal ecosystem in northern France through the analysis of mussels, cattle, and river water samples using real-time PCR. A total of 892 samples were analyzed, of which 14.5% tested positive.

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