No abstract

A total of 321 rabbit fecal samples were collected from 10 farms in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, China. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in the samples was 3.4% (11/321), 1.9% (6/321), and 2.8% (9/321), respectively. Small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene sequence analysis identified all 11 Cryptosporidium-positive samples as C. cuniculus. Further subtyping based on the 60-kDaglycoprotein locus (gp60) identified five of the C. cuniculus isolates as subtype VbA24. G. duodenalis genotypes were determined by multilocus sequence typing of the SSU rRNA, triosephosphate isomerase, β-giardin and glutamate dehydrogenase loci, which confirmed that six G. duodenalis isolates belonged to subtype BIV of assemblage B. Analysis of the internal transcribed spacer region, showed that five, three, and one E. bieneusi isolates belonged to genotypes J, BEB8, and Type IV, respectively. These results suggest that Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi isolates from rabbits in China have zoonotic potential.

Cryptosporidium is one of the most prevalent zoonotic parasites and is responsible for the high burden of diarrheal disease across the globe. Rodents are globally overpopulated and are reservoirs for a variety of zoonotic pathogens. Bamboo rats are a common species of rodent that are bred for meat and wool in China. However, the genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium in bamboo rats in China is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence and genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium in bamboo rats from South Central China. From February2017to February 2018, 435 fecal samples were collected from bamboo rats in 13 farms located in 12 cities in South Central China. All fecal specimens were examined for Cryptosporidium by PCR, and through sequencing the partial small subunit of ribosomal DNA (SSU rRNA). C. parvum -positive samples were further subtyped through analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein ( gp60 ) gene sequence. Meanwhile, all the new Cryptosporidium genotypes samples were selected for further sequence characterization at the 70-kDa heat shock protein ( HSP70 ) gene and oocyst wall protein ( COWP ) gene as well as gp60 gene. Infection rates of 2.1% (9/435) were recorded for Cryptosporidium . Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of two Cryptosporidium species including C. parvum (n = 2), C. occultus (n = 1) and two new Cryptosporidium genotypes termed Cryptosporidium bamboo rat genotype I (n = 5) and Cryptosporidium bamboo rat genotype II (n = 1). Two subtypes of C. parvum were identified including IIdA15G1 and IIpA19 (one each).The discovery of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in bamboo rats suggests they have significant zoonotic potential and pose a threat to human health. The novel sequences discovered provide new insight into genotypic variations in Cryptosporidium in bamboo rats.

No abstract

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular fungus, infecting various invertebrate and vertebrate hosts, it is common in humans and causes diarrhea in the immunocompromised. In the present study, 801 fecal specimens were collected from pigs on seven large-scale pig farms in Xinjiang, China. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene showed that the overall E. bieneusi infection rate was 48.6% (389/801). The E. bieneusi infection rates differed significantly among the collection sites (20.0–73.0%) (χ2 = 75.720, df = 6, p < 0.01). Post-weaned pigs had the highest infection rate (77.2%, 217/281), followed by fattening pigs (67.4%, 87/129) and pre-weaned suckling pigs (35.5%, 60/169). Adult pigs had the lowest infection rate (11.3%, 25/222). The E. bieneusi infection rates also differed significantly among age groups (χ2 = 246.015, df = 3, p < 0.01). Fifteen genotypes were identified, including 13 known genotypes (CHC, CS-1, CS-4, CS-7, CS-9, D, EbpA, EbpC, EbpD, H, PigEb4, PigEBITS5, and WildBoar8) and two novel genotypes (XJP-II and XJP-III). Among them, six genotypes (CS-4, D, EbpA, EbpC, H, and PigEBITS5) have been reported in humans. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the genotypes belonged to Group 1 of E. bieneusi. These findings suggest that pigs may play an important role in transmitting E. bieneusi infections to humans.