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.

BackgroundEnterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate, intracellular fungus and is commonly reported in humans and animals. To date, there have been no reports of E. bieneusi infections in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus). The present study was conducted to understand the occurrence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in Bactrian camels in China.ResultsOf 407 individual Bactrian camel fecal specimens, 30.0% (122) were E. bieneusi-positive by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on internal transcriber spacer (ITS) sequence analysis. A total of 14 distinct E. bieneusi ITS genotypes were obtained: eight known genotypes (genotype EbpC, EbpA, Henan-IV, BEB6, CM8, CHG16, O and WL17), and six novel genotypes (named CAM1 to CAM6). Genotype CAM1 (59.0%, 72/122) was the most predominant genotype in Bactrian camels in Xinjiang, and genotype EbpC (18.9%, 23/122) was the second-most predominant genotype. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that six known genotypes (EbpC, EbpA, WL17, Henan-IV, CM8 and O) and three novel genotypes (CAM3, CAM5 and CAM6) fell into the human-pathogenic group 1. Two known genotypes (CHG16 and BEB6) fell into the cattle host-specific group 2. The novel genotypes CAM1, CAM 2 and CAM4 cluster into group 8.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this is the first report of E. bieneusi in Bactrian camels. The host-specific genotype CAM1 was the predominant genotype, which plays a negligible role in the zoonotic transmission of E. bieneusi. However, the second-most predominant genotype, EbpC, has greater zoonotic potential.

Background: Blastocystis is one of the most common intestinal parasites in humans and various animals worldwide. Few studies are available regarding the genetic characterization of Blastocystis infections in humans in China. Methods: In the present study, 609 fecal samples were collected from two-to six-year-old kindergarten children in southern Xinjiang and were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: The infection rate of Blastocystis was 14.3% (87/609); no significant difference was observed among counties and between sexes. Blastocystis subtypes ST1 (n = 38), ST2 (n = 8), and ST3 (n = 41) were identified by sequence analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. Genetic polymorphisms were observed at the intra-subtype level, including seven variations for ST1 (ST1A to ST1G), four for ST2 (ST2A to ST2D), and two for ST3 (ST3A and ST3B); with ST1F and ST2B being new variations. Conclusions: ST1 and ST3 are the two common Blastocystis subtypes in the study area. More extensive studies in both humans and animals in different regions are needed to better characterize the transmission of Blastocystis.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the mainly pathologies or intestinal disorders that causes approximately 90% of reported cases of human microsporidiosis. To understand the prevalence and genotype distribution of E. bieneusi in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China, 609 fecal samples were collected from children in kindergarten in Southern Xinjiang and screened for this pathogen by PCR and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Thirty-six fecal samples (5.9%, 36/609) were positive for E. bieneusi, with the highest prevalence observed in children from Yopurga (17.5%, 11/63). Nine genotypes were identified, of which six were known (A, CHN6, D, EbpA, KB-1, and NIA1) and three were novel (CXJH1, CXJH2 and CXJH3). Genotype NIA1 was most prevalent (52.8%, 19/36), followed by genotypes D (16.7%, 6/36), A (8.3%, 3/36), and EbpA (8.3%, 3/36). The remaining five genotypes were detected in one sample each. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the E. bieneusi isolates clustered into two groups, one consisting of six genotypes (Group 1: A, CXJH1, D, EbpA, KB-1, and NIA1) and another consisting of three genotypes (Group 2: CHN6, CXJH2, and CXJH3). Our results confirmed that infection of E. bieneusi unusual dominant genotype NIA1 occurs in children in Xinjiang, China. Further epidemiological studies must be conducted to clarify potential sources of E. bieneusi infection in this area.

Background: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite causing diarrhoea in humans and animals. Although Cryptosporidium has been found in domestic horses (farmed or kept at pasture), there has been only one published study of Cryptosporidium infections in Chinese racehorses, which was restricted to a very small geographical area.Objectives: To investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the faeces of racehorses in China and to perform molecular characterisation of the parasite. Study design: Cross-sectional. Methods: A total of 621 fresh faecal samples were collected for DNA extraction from racehorses at 17 equestrian clubs from 12 provinces of China from December 2016 to May 2018. All the DNA were analysed for the presence of Cryptosporidium species/genotypes and subtypes by PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA and 60 kDa glycoprotein genes respectively.Results: PCR analysis revealed that 11 samples (1.8%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Among them seven samples were identified as C. parvum and four were C. hominis.The C. parvum isolates were identified as subtype IIdA14G1 (n = 4) and IIdA15G1(n = 3), while all C. hominis isolates were identified as subtype IkA18G1 (n = 4).Main limitations: A single faecal sample from each horse was used instead of multiple samples that could improve the detection rates of the parasite.Conclusions: Although Cryptosporidium infection rate was relatively low in the investigated racehorses, the presence of zoonotic subtypes IIdA14G and 1IIdA15G1 of C. parvum and IkA18G1 of C. hominis, suggesting that these animals are a potential source of Cryptosporidium in humans.

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Enterocytozoon bieneusi, an obligate intracellular pathogen, can infect a wide variety of hosts. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in China. A total of 185 alpaca fecal samples were collected from five herds in Tacheng, Wensu, Hejing, Qinghe, and Nilka counties in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected by nested PCR of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Twenty-eight fecal samples (15.1%, 28/185) were positive for E. bieneusi, with the highest prevalence in alpacas from Qinghe (42.9%, 15/35). Four E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, which included two known (P and ALP3) and two novel (ALP7 and ALP8) genotypes. Genotype ALP3 was the dominant genotype (57.1%, 16/28), followed by genotypes P (32.1%, 9/28), ALP7 (7.1%, 2/28), and ALP8 (2.6%, 1/28). Phylogenetic analysis revealed that three genotypes (P, ALP7, and ALP3) clustered into group 1, whereas genotype ALP8 clustered into group 8. This is the first report of E. bieneusi infection and genetic diversity in alpacas from Xinjiang, China.