Abstract
BackgroundEnterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidian species causing diarrhea and other intestinal disorders in humans and animals. Like other infectious diseases, microsporidiosis usually disproportionately affects poor populations. In China, some ethnic minority areas remain poor. Currently, no information of E. bieneusi infection is available in minority populations. The present aims were to understand occurrence and genetic characterizations of E. bieneusi in ethnic minority groups from a poverty-stricken ethnic township in Yunnan Province, and to assess risk factors for E. bieneusi infection.Methodology/Principal findings289 fecal specimens were collected from Yao people (one specimen each) with and without diarrhea, in Yunnan Province. E. bieneusi was identified and genotyped by PCR and sequence analysis of the ITS region of the rRNA gene. An average prevalence of 8.30% (24/289) was observed and four genotypes were identified—genotype Peru6 (n = 21) and three novel genotypes (one each). Genotype Peru6 was detected in two family members in each of three families. In a phylogenetic analysis, all of four genotypes fell into group 1 with zoonotic potential. The people owning individual pit toilets had a statistically higher prevalence of E. bieneusi (16.67%, 12/72) than those using public pit toilets (6.06%, 12/198).Conclusions/SignificanceThis is the first report on occurrence and genetic characteristics of E. bieneusi in ethnic minority groups in China. Genotype Peru6 was found in humans in China for the first time and showed dominance in Yao people. The same genotype was found in some family members and all the genotypes fell into group 1, suggesting the possibility of anthroponotic and zoonotic transmissions. The majority (83.33%, 20/24) of E. bieneusi positive individuals did not present diarrhea. In any case, it is important to recognize their existence and the importance that asymptomatic individuals to E. bieneusi may have from an epidemiological point of view, as transmitters of this pathogen. The analysis of risk factors provides scientific evidence for the development of effective strategies for prevention and control of E. bieneusi infection.
Highlights
Microsporidia are a group of unicellular, obligate intracellular parasitic eukaryotes which are composed of approximately 1,300 to 1500 formally described species in more than 200 genera [1]
We identified E. bieneusi in 8.30% (24/289) of people, with the majority (83.33%, 20/24) of positive individuals having no diarrhea
All 289 fecal specimens were screened for the presence of E. bieneusi by PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene
Summary
Microsporidia are a group of unicellular, obligate intracellular parasitic eukaryotes which are composed of approximately 1,300 to 1500 formally described species in more than 200 genera [1]. Enterocytozoon bieneusi shows the highest frequency (more than 90%) in human cases of microsporidiosis [3]. E. bieneusi causes a disease characterized mainly by diarrhea, which appears to be related to replication of organisms in the villus epithelium of the small intestine, along with reduced villus height and surface area [4]. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidian species causing diarrhea and other intestinal disorders in humans and animals. No information of E. bieneusi infection is available in minority populations. The present aims were to understand occurrence and genetic characterizations of E. bieneusi in ethnic minority groups from a poverty-stricken ethnic township in Yunnan Province, and to assess risk factors for E. bieneusi infection
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