New genotypes and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pet birds in Southwestern China

Publication date: Available online 9 August 2019Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and WildlifeAuthor(s): Lei Deng, Chan-Juan Yue, Yi-Jun Chai, Wu-You Wang, Xiao-Yan Su, Zi-Yao Zhou, Long-Qiong Wang, Ling-Yu Li, Hai-Feng Liu, Zhi-Jun Zhong, Sui-Zhong Cao, Yan-Chun Hu, Hua-Lin Fu, Guang-Neng PengAbstract:Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a unicellular enteric microsporidian parasite, can infect humans and a wide range of animals throughout the world. Although E. bieneusi has been identified in many animals, there is no information regarding the genotypes of E. bieneusi in pet birds in China. Birds are important sources of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans, and immunosuppressed individuals can be exposed to potential zoonotic agents shed by birds. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic diversity of E. bieneusi in pet birds, as well as assessed its zoonotic potential. A total of 387 fecal samples were collected from Psittaciformes (n = 295), Passeriformes (n = 67), and Galliformes (n = 16) from four pet markets in Sichuan province, Southwestern China. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in pet birds was 25.1% based on nested polymerase chain reaction analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene (Psittaciformes, 21.7%; Passeriformes, 37.3%; Galliformes, 50.0%). Eight genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including five known genotypes (D, SC02, BEB6, CHB1...
Source: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife - Category: Parasitology Source Type: research