Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common intestinal pathogen in a variety of animals. While E. bieneusi genotypes have become better-known, there are few reports on its prevalence in the Tibetan pig. This study investigated the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in the Tibetan pig in southwestern China. Tibetan pig feces (266 samples) were collected from three sites in the southwest of China. Feces were subjected to PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 83 (31.2%) of Tibetan pigs from the three different sites, with 25.4% in Kangding, 56% in Yaan, and 26.7% in Qionglai. Prevalence varies according to age group, from 24.4% (age 0–1 years) to 44.4% (age 1–2 years). Four genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified: two known genotypes EbpC (n = 58), Henan-IV (n = 24) and two novel genotypes, SCT01 and SCT02 (one of each). We compare our results with a compilation of published results on the host range and geographical distribution of E. bieneusi genotypes in China. Phylogenetic analysis showed these four genotypes clustered to group 1 with zoonotic potential. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis of three microsatellites (MS1, MS3, MS7) and one minisatellite (MS4) was successful in 47, 48, 23 and 47 positive specimens and identified 10, 10, 5 and 5 genotypes at four loci, respectively. This study indicates the potential danger of E. bieneusi to Tibetan pigs in southwestern China, and offers basic advice for preventing and controlling infections.
Highlights
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic pathogens, classified as fungi, which are composed of approximately 1300 species in 160 genera [7]
Since its first detection in an HIV/AIDS patient in 1985, a growing body of literature attests to E. bieneusi expanding its range of hosts [47, 51, 52]
Analysis of 12 samples at four gene loci identified eight novel MLGs, including three genotype EbpC MLGs and five genotype Henan-IV MLGs (Table 3). These results reveal high genetic diversity in the Henan-IV and EbpC genotypes of E. bieneusi in Tibetan pigs
Summary
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular eukaryotic pathogens, classified as fungi, which are composed of approximately 1300 species in 160 genera [7]. 17 microsporidia species are known to infect humans, and of these, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most prevalent, accounting for over 90% of cases of human microsporidiosis [6]. Infection of healthy individuals with E. bieneusi results in self-limiting diarrhea and malabsorption. This pathogen can cause life-threatening diarrhea in immunocompromized individuals, such as AIDS patients and transplant recipients [35]. Fecal-oral routes serve as the main infection pathways in humans and animals, while human inhalation of E. bieneusi spores has been documented [54, 58]. PCR-based molecular techniques may be used to analyze the E. bieneusi genome, and for diagnosis. To better comprehend E. bieneusi genetic diversity and molecular characteristics, high-resolution multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) using three microsatellites (MS1, MS3 and MS7) and one minisatellite (MS4) as markers was used to explore genotype taxonomy and transmission routes [9, 55, 56]
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