Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Protist Parasites in Captive Non-Human Primates, Zookeepers, and Free-Living Sympatric Rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, Southern Spain

Köster, Pamela C.; Dashti, Alejandro; Bailo, Begoña; Muadica, Aly Salimo; Maloney, Jenny G.; Santı́n, Mónica; Chicharro, Carmen; Migueláñez, Silvia; Nieto, F.; Cano‐Terriza, David; García‐Bocanegra, Ignacio; Guerra, Rafael; Ponce-Gordo, Francisco; Calero‐Bernal, Rafael; González‐Barrio, David; Carmena, David

doi:10.3390/ani11030700

Cited by 21 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…has been found in 15.4% (67/432) of captive animals in a zoo in Southern Spain [ 52 ], in 23.6% (232/984) of birds in an ornithological garden in the same region [ 53 ], and in non-human primates (NHP) at the Barcelona Zoo at an unspecified carriage rate [ 54 ]. A higher prevalence rate of 45.1% (23/51) was reported by PCR and Sanger sequencing methods in NHP from the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre in Southern Spain [ 32 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding animal hosts, Blastocystis STs have been found in faecal samples from Iberian pigs (ST1, ST3, and ST5) and wild boars (ST5) living sympatrically [ 30 ]. A high genetic variability including ST1, ST2, ST4, ST7, and ST14 was observed in different wild carnivore species in different regions of the country [ 58 ], whereas ST1, ST3, and ST8 were reported as circulating in captive NHP [ 32 ]. Most Blastocystis STs described in Spanish animal populations were potentially zoonotic, particularly ST1–ST5.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Regarding animal hosts, Blastocystis sp. and E. bieneusi have been reported in livestock (pigs) [ 30 ], pets (dogs, cats) [ 31 ], and captive non-human primates [ 32 ] and animal populations and wildlife (leporids, carnivores) [ 33 , 34 ]. In contrast, only a single microscopy-based survey has investigated the presence of Blastocystis sp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Detection and Characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Cattle in Northern Spain

Abarca

Santı́n

Ortega

et al. 2021

Veterinary Sciences

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Some enteric parasites causing zoonotic diseases in livestock have been poorly studied or even neglected. This is the case in stramenopile Blastocystis sp. and the microsporidia Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Spain. This transversal molecular epidemiological survey aims to estimate the prevalence and molecular diversity of Blastocystis sp. and E. bieneusi in cattle faecal samples (n = 336) in the province of Álava, Northern Spain. Initial detection of Blastocystis and E. bieneusi was carried out by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing of the small subunit (ssu) rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, respectively. Intra-host Blastocystis subtype diversity was further investigated by next generation amplicon sequencing (NGS) of the ssu rRNA gene in those samples that tested positive by conventional PCR. Amplicons compatible with Blastocystis sp. and E. bieneusi were observed in 32.1% (108/336, 95% CI: 27.2–37.4%) and 0.6% (2/336, 95% CI: 0.0–1.4%) of the cattle faecal samples examined, respectively. Sanger sequencing produced ambiguous/unreadable sequence data for most of the Blastocystis isolates sequenced. NGS allowed the identification of 10 Blastocystis subtypes including ST1, ST3, ST5, ST10, ST14, ST21, ST23, ST24, ST25, and ST26. All Blastocystis-positive isolates involved mixed infections of 2–8 STs in a total of 31 different combinations. The two E. bieneusi sequences were confirmed as potentially zoonotic genotype BEB4. Our data demonstrate that Blastocystis mixed subtype infections are extremely frequent in cattle in the study area. NGS was particularly suited to discern underrepresented subtypes or mixed subtype infections that were undetectable or unreadable by Sanger sequencing. The presence of zoonotic Blastocystis ST1, ST3, and ST5, and E. bieneusi BEB4 suggest cross-species transmission and a potential risk of human infection/colonization.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Molecular Detection and Characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Cattle in Northern Spain

Abarca

Santı́n

Ortega

et al. 2021

Veterinary Sciences

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“…Ten subtypes have been reported in humans, ST1–ST9 and ST12, with most studies reporting primarily ST1–ST4 [ 17 ]. The subtypes reported in humans have also been observed in animals indicating that these subtypes may have zoonotic potential [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 ]. For example, the identification of ST6, a subtype mostly identified in avian species, in slaughterhouse staff members provided evidence of the potential zoonotic transmission of this subtype through direct contact between chickens and their handlers [ 21 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Wide Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Maryland, USA

et al. 2021

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Blastocystis is a gastrointestinal protist frequently reported in humans and animals worldwide. Wildlife populations, including deer, may serve as reservoirs of parasitic diseases for both humans and domestic animals, either through direct contact or through contamination of food or water resources. However, no studies of the occurrence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in wildlife populations have been conducted in the United States. PCR and next generation amplicon sequencing were used to determine the occurrence and subtypes of Blastocystis in white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Blastocystis was common, with 88.8% (71/80) of samples found to be positive. Twelve subtypes were identified, ten previously reported (ST1, ST3, ST4, ST10, ST14, ST21, and ST23–ST26) and two novel subtypes (ST30 and ST31). To confirm the validity of ST30 and ST31, MinION sequencing was used to obtain full-length SSU rRNA gene sequences, and phylogenetic and pairwise distance analyses were performed. ST10, ST14, and ST24 were the most commonly observed subtypes. Potentially zoonotic subtypes ST1, ST3, or ST4 were present in 8.5% of Blastocystis-positives. Mixed subtype infections were common (90.1% of Blastocystis-positives). This study is the first to subtype Blastocystis in white-tailed deer. White-tailed deer were found to be commonly infected/colonized with a wide diversity of subtypes, including two novel subtypes, zoonotic subtypes, and subtypes frequently reported in domestic animals. More studies in wildlife are needed to better understand their role in the transmission of Blastocystis.

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“…and the ciliates Balantioides coli and Troglodytella abrassarti are also a common finding in the faeces of captive NHP ( Johnson-Delaney, 2009 ; Medkour et al, 2020 ; Helenbrook and Whipps, 2021 ). All the above-mentioned protist species have been documented in NHP collections of zoological gardens and sanctuaries in Asian ( Mul et al, 2007 ; Nath et al, 2012 ; Du et al, 2015 ; Adrus et al, 2019 Zhao et al, 2020 ), African ( Munene et al, 1998 ; Pomajbíková et al, 2010a , b ; Li et al, 2011 ; Mbaya and Udendeye, 2011 ; Ryan et al, 2012 ; Adetunji, 2014 ; Debenham et al, 2015 ; Kouassi et al, 2015 ), American ( Phillips et al, 2004 ; Wenz et al, 2010 ; Milozzi et al, 2012 ; da Silva Barbosa et al, 2015 ), and European ( Levecke et al, 2007 ; Berrilli et al, 2011 ; Köster et al, 2021a ) countries. These studies revealed marked differences in occurrence rates depending on host species, geographical location, and detection method used.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Presence and genetic diversity of enteric protists in captive and semi-captive non-human primates in côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Peru

Köster

Lapuente

Pizarro³

et al. 2022

International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife

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Little information is currently available on the occurrence and genetic diversity of pathogenic and commensal protist species in captive and semi-captive non-human primates (NHP) resident in zoological gardens or sanctuaries in low- and medium-income countries. In this molecular-based study, we prospectively collected individual faecal samples from apparently healthy NHP at the Abidjan Zoological Garden (AZG) in Côte d’Ivoire, the Tacugama Sanctuary (TS) in Sierra Leone, and the Quistococha Zoological Garden (QZG) in Peru between November 2018 and February 2020. We evaluated for the presence of pathogenic ( Cryptosporidium spp., Entamoeba histolytica , Giardia duodenalis , Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi , Balantioides coli ) and commensal ( Entamoeba dispar , Troglodytella abrassarti ) protist species using PCR methods and Sanger sequencing. Giardia duodenalis was the most prevalent species found (25.9%, 30/116), followed by Blastocystis sp. (22.4%, 26/116), and E. dispar (18.1%, 21/116). We detected E. bieneusi (4.2%, 1/24) and T. abrassarti (12.5%, 3/24) only on NHP from AZG. Cryptosporidium spp., E. histolytica , and B. coli were undetected at the three sampling sites investigated here. Sequence analyses revealed the presence of zoonotic sub-assemblages BIII ( n = 1) in AZG and BIV ( n = 1) in TS within G. duodenalis . We identified Blastocystis subtype ST3 (100%, 6/6) in AZG, ST1 (80.0%, 12/15), ST2 (6.7%, 1/15), and ST3 (13.3%, 2/15) in TS, and ST2 (80.0%, 4/5) and ST3 (20.0%, 1/5) in QZG. The only E. bieneusi isolate detected here was identified as zoonotic genotype CAF4. Our PCR-based data indicate that potentially pathogenic protist species including G. duodenalis , Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi , and B. coli are present at variable rates in the three NHP populations investigated here. The identification of zoonotic genotypes within these species indicates that human-NHP transmission is possible, although the extent and directionality of these events need to be elucidated in future molecular surveys.

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Occurrence and Genetic Diversity of Protist Parasites in Captive Non-Human Primates, Zookeepers, and Free-Living Sympatric Rats in the Córdoba Zoo Conservation Centre, Southern Spain

Cited by 21 publications

References 69 publications

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Cattle in Northern Spain

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Blastocystis sp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Cattle in Northern Spain

Wide Genetic Diversity of Blastocystis in White-Tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Maryland, USA

Presence and genetic diversity of enteric protists in captive and semi-captive non-human primates in côte d’Ivoire, Sierra Leone, and Peru

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