High prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi zoonotic genotype D in captive golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellanae) in zoos in China

Fuchang Yu,Jiantang Wang,Longxian Zhang,Suhui Hu,Changshen Ning,Rongjun Wang,Tongyi Li,Jianke Cao,Huili Zhu,Yayun Wu,Sumei Zhang

doi:10.1186/s12917-017-1084-6

Fuchang Yu, Jiantang Wang + Show 9 more

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https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-017-1084-6

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Abstract

BackgroundEnterocytozoon bieneusi is the dominant specie of microsporidia which can infect both anthroponotic and zoonotic species. The golden snub-nosed monkey is an endangered primate which can also infect by E. bieneusi. To date, few genetic data on E. bieneusi from golden snub-nosed monkeys has been published. Therefore, to clarify the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in captive golden snub-nosed monkeys is necessary to assess the potential for zoonotic transmission.ResultWe examined 160 golden snub-nosed monkeys from six zoos in four cities in China, using PCR and comparative sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was 46.2% (74/160); while the prevalence was 26.7%, 69.1%, 69.4% and 33.3% in Shanghai Zoo, Shanghai Wild Animal Park, Tongling Zoo, and Taiyuan Zoo respectively (P = 0.006). A total of seven E. bieneusi genotypes were found that included four known (D, J, CHG1, and CHG14) and three new (CM19–CM 21) genotypes. The most common genotype was D (54/74, 73.0%), followed by J (14/74, 18.9%); other genotypes were restricted to one or two samples. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that genotype D belonged to the previously-characterized Group 1, with zoonotic potential; whereas genotypes J, CHG1, CHG14 and CM19–CM 21 clustered in the previously-characterized Group 2, the so-called cattle host specificity group.ConclusionsThe findings of high prevalence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes D and J in golden snub-nosed monkeys suggest that golden snub-nosed monkeys may be the reservoir hosts for human microsporidiosis, and vice versa.

Highlights

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the dominant specie of microsporidia which can infect both anthroponotic and zoonotic species
The findings of high prevalence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes D and J in golden snub-nosed monkeys suggest that golden snub-nosed monkeys may be the reservoir hosts for human microsporidiosis, and vice versa
Occurrence and genotypes of E. bieneusi A total of 160 fecal specimens were examined for E. bieneusi by PCR, with 74 (46.2%) specimens being positive for E. bieneusi

Summary

Introduction

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the dominant specie of microsporidia which can infect both anthroponotic and zoonotic species. The golden snub-nosed monkey is an endangered primate which can infect by E. bieneusi. Few genetic data on E. bieneusi from golden snub-nosed monkeys has been published. To clarify the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in captive golden snub-nosed monkeys is necessary to assess the potential for zoonotic transmission. 14 species of microsporidian pathogens have been diagnosed in humans [2], among which Enterocytozoon bieneusi is dominant [3]. Since the first identification of E. bieneusi in an AIDS patient by Desportes and others in 1985, more than 240 genotypes of the species have been reported from numerous animal hosts, based on sequence analysis of the. While the molecular phylogeny of these strains is well-studied, the full range of host diversity, including reservoirs and potential zoonotic transmission, remain unresolved issues [17]

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