Abstract
BackgroundCaptive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. can be sources of zoonotic infections and diseases. Therefore, to investigate the distribution of these pathogens in captive wild animals of zoos in Henan, China, a total of 429 fresh fecal samples were collected from six zoos in Henan, China. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, E. bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were determined by PCR analysis of corresponding loci. Positive results for Cryptosporidium (C. parvum and C. hominis) were subtyped based on the (gp60) gene.ResultsThe overall prevalence was 43.1% (185/429), and the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were 2.8% (12/429), 0.5% (2/429), 20.8% (89/429), and 19.1% (82/429), respectively. Five Cryptosporidium species, namely, C. hominis, C. parvum, C. muris, C. andersoni, and C. macropodum, were identified in this study. Cryptosporidium parvum was further subtyped as IIdA19G1. Two Giardia duodenalis assemblages (A and E) were also identified. A total of 20 Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes were detected, including 18 known (BEB6, D, HND-1, CD7, SDD1, Henan-IV, KIN-1, CHK1, Peru8, Henan-V, CHG11, CHG-1, CHS9, CHG21, Type-IV, CHC9, CM5, and CHB1) and 2 novel genotypes (CHWD1 and CHPM1). A total of nine subtypes of Blastocystis sp. (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST5, ST6, ST7, ST10, ST13, and ST14) were identified in captive wild animals in zoos in the present study. Cryptosporidium andersoni, nine Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes, and five Blastocystis subtypes were here first identified in new hosts.ConclusionsOur study has expanded the host ranges of these four pathogens. The data indicate that animals in zoos can commonly be infected with these four zoonotic pathogens, and animals in zoos are potential sources of zoonotic infections in humans.
Highlights
Captive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. can be sources of zoonotic infections and diseases
Occurrence of Cryptosporidium, Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis The overall infection rate was 43.1% (185/429, 95% confidence intervals (CI): 39.33–48.77%, χ2 = 25.048, df = 5, P < 0.001) among six zoos
The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. were 2.8% (12/429, 95% CI: 1.23–4.36%, χ2 = 23.613, df = 5, P < 0.001), 0.5% (2/429, 95% CI: 0–1.11%, χ2 = 21.936, df = 5, P < 0.001), 20.8% (89/429, 95% CI: 16.89–24.59%, χ2 = 25.877, df = 5, p < 0.001), and 19.1% (82/429, 95% CI: 16.24–23.85%, χ2 = 7.696, df = 5, p > 0.05), respectively (Table 1)
Summary
Captive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. can be sources of zoonotic infections and diseases. Captive wild animals in zoos infected with Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. Are four common opportunistic pathogens with wide host ranges that include livestock, wildlife, and humans [1,2,3,4]. Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis sp. Infections with these pathogens can cause diarrhea and several other gastrointestinal illnesses in humans and animals [1,2,3,4]. Two subtypes (ST9 and ST12) are specific to humans, and the remaining subtypes have been detected in non-human hosts [8, 9]
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