First report of Blastocystis in giant pandas, red pandas, and various bird species in Sichuan province, southwestern China

Publication date: Available online 26 June 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Lei Deng, Jing-Xin Yao, Hai-Feng Liu, Zi-Yao Zhou, Yi-Jun Chai, Wu-You Wang, Zhi-Jun Zhong, Jun-Liang Deng, Zhi-Hua Ren, Hua-Lin Fu, Xia Yan, Chan-Juan Yue, Guang-Neng PengAbstractBlastocystis is a common enteric protist that colonizes humans and a wide range of animals. Although some studies have reported incidences of Blastocystis in humans and animals in China, there is no information available on the prevalence of Blastocystis in giant pandas, red pandas, or bird species. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence, subtype distribution, and genetic characterizations of Blastocystis in these animals in a captive situation in southwestern China, as well as assess the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates. A total of 168 fecal specimens, including 81 from giant pandas, 23 from red pandas, 38 from black swans, 11 from ruddy shelducks, and 15 from green peafowl were collected at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan province. The overall minimum prevalence of Blastocystis was 11.3% (19/168) based on PCR amplification of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene. The highest prevalence of Blastocystis was observed in ruddy shelduck (18.2%) and the lowest was found in green peafowl (6.7%). The prevalence of Blastocystis in giant pandas>5.5 years of age was higher than that in younger giant pandas. Two poten...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research