Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an opportunistic intestinal pathogen that infects humans and a wide variety of animals worldwide. Our aim in this study was to investigate the occurrence of E. bieneusi in a domestic cat population in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Sixty fecal samples from diarrheic cats were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the amplicons were sequenced for identification. E. bieneusi was detected in two samples (3.3%), both identified as genotype D. This genotype has already been reported in animals and humans and is considered a zoonotic genotype. Our findings represent the first report of E. bieneusi in domestic cats in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of identifying this agent as a source of infection in animals and humans.
Highlights
Positive E. bieneusi polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifications were observed in 2 (3.3%) of the 60 fecal samples
This is the first report of presence of E. bieneusi in domestic cats in Brazil
E. bieneusi was previously identified through PCR in feces from cats in Asia: China (KARIM et al, 2014a; LI et al, 2015; XU et al, 2016b), Japan (ABE et al, 2009), Iran (JAMSHIDI et al, 2012) and Thailand (MORI et al, 2013); Europe: Germany (DENGJEL et al, 2001), Switzerland
Summary
Only 17 species are known to be pathogenic to humans, among which Enterocytozoon bieneusi is considered the most common disease-causing species (FAYER & SANTÍN, 2014; MATHIS et al, 2005). It is an opportunistic pathogen, E. bieneusi was first identified in 1985 in enterocytes from an HIV positive human (DESPORTES et al, 1985). Information about the occurrence of E. bieneusi in cats is scanty; a few studies have been conducted in Asian and European countries, and a single study in South America Most of these studies have identified zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes, which includes cats as dispersing agents and a potential source of infection in humans. Given the absence of studies on E. bieneusi in cats in Brazil, the purpose of our research was to investigate the occurrence of E. bieneusi in diarrheic domestic cats in the city of Campo Grande, state of Mato Grosso do Sul, mid west Brazil
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
