Abstract
Intestinal parasitic infections have high prevalence rate in many regions especially in developing countries. The aim of this study was to determine the presence and genotype/subtype of some intestinal protozoa in livestock in Iran. Stool samples were collected from cattle, sheep, chickens, and horses. The presence of targeted parasites was evaluated using real-time PCR. Genotyping/subtyping of positive samples was characterized using sequencing of the ITS and barcoding region, respectively. Blastocystis sp., 27.7% (48/173) and Enterocytozoon bieneusi 26.0% (45/173) were the most frequent protozoa followed by Encephalitozoon spp., 0.57% (1/173). Cryptosporidium spp. were not detected among samples. Encephalitozoon spp., was detected only in chickens 2.2% (1/45). A statistically correlation was seen between animals and the prevalence of targeted protozoa. E. bieneusi genotypes I (9/38; 23.68%), BEB6 (22/38; 57.89%), D (6/38; 15.79%), and horse1 (1/38; 2.63%) were detected among samples. A statistically significant correlation was seen between the genotypes and animals (P ≤ 0.05). Blastocystis sp., ST1 (1/45; 2.22%), ST5 3/45; 6.66%), ST7 (1/45; 2.22%), ST10 (24/45; 53.33%), and ST14 (16/45; 35.55%) were characterized among samples. There was no significant correlation between certain subtypes and animals (P = 0.173). The presence of zoonotic potential genotypes of E. bieneusi in animals and zoonotic potential subtypes ST1 and ST7 among our samples provide a clue about the transmission dynamic of E. bieneusi and Blastocystis sp. between animals–animals and humans–animals.
Highlights
Infections caused by intestinal parasites are still one of the important public health problems in the world
Blastocystis sp. and E. bieneusi were the most common species detected in samples
The current study provides interesting data about the prevalence of Blastocystis sp., and E. bieneusi and their subtypes/genotypes among livestock
Summary
Infections caused by intestinal parasites are still one of the important public health problems in the world. A wide range of helminths and protozoa can infect or colonize the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals. The enteric protozoa such as Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Encephalitozoon spp., are of the most important zoonotic parasites causing diarrhea in h umans, which infect a wide range of domesticated and wild animals, as well. E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon species including (E. cuniculi, E. intestinalis and E. hellem) are the major species of microsporidia, infecting a wide range of mammalian hosts including humans and animals, and are responsible for almost all of the intestinal infections. Concerning the importance of zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium, Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi, and Encephalitozoon spp., the current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of these protozoa using a sensitive rapid molecular method. The genotypes and subtypes of positive cases were characterized to provide data on their host-adaptation and potentially zoonotic transmission
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