Prevalence and genotype/subtype distribution of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis in donkeys in Shanxi Province, north China.

Parasitol Res

Laboratory of Parasitic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu, Shanxi Province, 030801, People's Republic of China.

Published: January 2024

AI Article Synopsis

  • A study investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of the intestinal protozoa Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis in 815 donkey fecal samples from Shanxi Province, north China, revealing an overall prevalence of 8.1% for E. bieneusi and 0.2% for Blastocystis.
  • Three genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including one new genotype (SXD1), with genotype D being the most common, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission.
  • One subtype of Blastocystis (ST33), previously recorded only in horses, was also found, highlighting the importance of this research in understanding how these infections spread among animals.

Article Abstract

Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Blastocystis may cause diarrhea in humans and various animals. However, little information is available regarding the prevalence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi and Blastocystis in donkeys. To fill this gap, we molecularly assessed E. bieneusi and Blastocystis in fecal samples from donkeys (n = 815) in Shanxi Province, north China. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi and Blastocystis in donkeys was 8.1% and 0.2%, respectively. Region and age were risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection in donkeys. Three internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified in the current study, including two previously described genotypes (D and Henan-IV) and one novel genotype (named SXD1). Of which, genotype D was found to be the most prevalent. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that the three genotypes belonged to group 1, implying a potential of zoonotic transmission. Multilocus sequence typing showed that 19, 15, 13, and 22 types were identified at the loci MS1, MS3, MS4, and MS7, respectively, forming six multilocus genotypes (MLGs) distributed in the genotype D. One Blastocystis subtype (ST33) was identified, which has previously been reported only in horses. This is the first molecular-based description of E. bieneusi and Blastocystis infections in donkeys in Shanxi Province, north China, contributing to a better understanding of transmission dynamics and molecular epidemiological characteristics of the two intestinal protozoa.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00436-024-08128-xDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

bieneusi blastocystis
24
blastocystis donkeys
12
shanxi province
12
province north
12
north china
12
bieneusi
8
enterocytozoon bieneusi
8
donkeys shanxi
8
blastocystis
7
donkeys
6

Similar Publications

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!