Host-adaptation of Rare Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype CHN4 in Coypus (Myocastor coypus) in China

Abstract

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic gastrointestinal pathogen and can infect both humans and animals. Coypus (Myocastor coypus) are semi-aquatic rodents, in which few E. bieneusi infections have been reported and the distribution of genotypes and zoonotic potential remains unknown.Methods: A total of 308 fresh fecal samples were collected from seven coypu farms in China to determine the infection rate and the distribution of genotypes of E. bieneusi from coypus using nested-PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene.Results: E. bieneusi was detected with an infection rate of 41.2% (n = 127). Four genotypes were identified, including three known genotypes: CHN4 (n = 111), EbpC (n = 8) and EbpA (n = 7) and a novel genotype named CNCP1 (n = 1). Conclusions: The rare genotype CHN4 was the most common one in the present study, and the transmission dynamics of E. bieneusi in coypus were different from other rodents. This is the first report of E. bieneusi infections in coypus in China. Our study reveals that E. bieneusi in coypus may be potential infection source to humans.