Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in dairy cattle in Gansu, northwest China.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are common gastrointestinal parasites with a broad range of hosts, including humans, livestock, and wildlife. To examine the infection status and assess the zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in dairy cattle in Gansu, China, a total of 1414 fecal samples were collected from the rectum, with one sample collected from each individual animal. All the samples were tested using nested PCR based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis. The overall infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis were 4.2% (n = 59) and 1.0% (n = 14), respectively. Four Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. andersoni (n = 42), C. parvum (n = 12), C. bovis (n = 5), and C. ryanae (n = 1). In further analyses of subtypes of C. parvum isolates based on the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene, five were successfully subtyped as IIdA19G1 (n = 4) and IIdA15G1 (n = 1). All 14 G. duodenalis isolates were identified as assemblage E using the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene. The relatively low positive rates of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis detected here and the predominance of non-human pathogenic species/assemblages of these parasites indicated their unique transmission dynamics in this area and the low level of threat posed to public health. However, continuous monitoring and further studies of these parasites should be conducted for the prevention and control of these pathogens.

TITLE: Prévalence et caractérisation moléculaire de Cryptosporidium spp. et Giardia duodenalis chez les bovins laitiers du Gansu, au nord-ouest de la Chine. ABSTRACT: Cryptosporidium spp. et Giardia duodenalis sont des parasites gastro-intestinaux communs avec une large gamme d'hôtes, y compris les humains, le bétail et la faune. Pour examiner le statut infectieux et évaluer le potentiel zoonotique de Cryptosporidium spp. et G. duodenalis chez les bovins laitiers à Gansu, Chine, un total de 1414 échantillons fécaux ont été prélevés dans le rectum, avec un échantillon prélevé individuellement sur chaque animal. Tous les échantillons ont été testés en utilisant une PCR nichée basée sur le gène de l'ARN ribosomal de petite sous-unité (ARNr SSU) de Cryptosporidium spp. et G. duodenalis. Les taux globaux d'infection par Cryptosporidium spp. et Giardia duodenalis étaient de 4,2 % (n = 59) et 1,0 % (n = 14), respectivement. Quatre espèces de Cryptosporidium ont été identifiées : C. andersoni (n = 42), C. parvum (n = 12), C. bovis (n = 5) et C. ryanae (n = 1). Dans d'autres analyses des sous-types d'isolats de C. parvum basés sur le gène de la glycoprotéine de 60 kDa (gp60), cinq ont été sous-typés avec succès comme IIdA19G1 (n = 4) et IIdA15G1 (n = 1). Les 14 isolats de G. duodenalis ont été identifiés comme étant l'assemblage E à l'aide du gène de la triosephosphate isomérase (tpi). Les taux positifs relativement faibles de Cryptosporidium spp. et de G. duodenalis détectés ici et la prédominance des espèces/assemblages non pathogènes pour les humains de ces parasites ont indiqué leur dynamique de transmission unique dans cette zone et le faible niveau de menace pour la santé publique. Cependant, une surveillance continue et des études plus approfondies de ces parasites devraient être menées pour la prévention et le contrôle de ces agents pathogènes.

High prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi zoonotic genotype D in captive golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellanae) in zoos in China.

BACKGROUND: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the dominant specie of microsporidia which can infect both anthroponotic and zoonotic species. The golden snub-nosed monkey is an endangered primate which can also infect by E. bieneusi. To date, few genetic data on E. bieneusi from golden snub-nosed monkeys has been published. Therefore, to clarify the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in captive golden snub-nosed monkeys is necessary to assess the potential for zoonotic transmission. RESULT: We examined 160 golden snub-nosed monkeys from six zoos in four cities in China, using PCR and comparative sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was 46.2% (74/160); while the prevalence was 26.7%, 69.1%, 69.4% and 33.3% in Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Tongling Zoo, and Taiyuan Zoo respectively (P = 0.006). A total of seven E. bieneusi genotypes were found that included four known (D, J, CHG1, and CHG14) and three new (CM19-CM 21) genotypes. The most common genotype was D (54/74, 73.0%), followed by J (14/74, 18.9%); other genotypes were restricted to one or two samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that genotype D belonged to the previously-characterized Group 1, with zoonotic potential; whereas genotypes J, CHG1, CHG14 and CM19-CM 21 clustered in the previously-characterized Group 2, the so-called cattle host specificity group. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of high prevalence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes D and J in golden snub-nosed monkeys suggest that golden snub-nosed monkeys may be the reservoir hosts for human microsporidiosis, and vice versa.

Occurrence, molecular characterization and predominant genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dairy cattle in Henan and Ningxia, China.

BACKGROUND: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently diagnosed microsporidian species in humans and a wide range of animals. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in dairy cattle in Henan Province of central China and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of northwest China. FINDINGS: Of 879 fresh fecal specimens, 24.3 % (214/879) tested positive for E. bieneusi by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the internal transcriber spacer (ITS) gene. The highest infection rate, 46.8 % (51/109, P < 0.0001), was observed in a group of dairy cattle with diarrhea, located in Ningxia. The age groups with higher infection rates were pre-weaned calves (29.3 %, 127/434, P < 0.0001) and post-weaned calves (23.9 %, 63/264, P = 0.006). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed 20 E. bieneusi ITS genotypes (15 known and five new), including members of Group 1 and Group 2. Genotypes I and J were detected in 64.5 % (138/214) of the E. bieneusi positive specimens. CONCLUSIONS: Genotypes I and J were the dominant genotypes in dairy cattle in the present study. The detection of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi in dairy farms indicates that cattle may play an important role as a reservoir host for zoonotic infections.