Towards minimizing second-generation mis-identification of Blastocystis.

At least 1-2% of DNA sequences annotated as Blastocystis in GenBank represent organisms other than Blastocystis or sequence artefacts. As well as being biologically incorrect, such practice can lead to overestimates of genetic diversity, underestimated host specificity, and incorrect classification of samples tested for Blastocystis using DNA-based methods.