Abstract
BackgroundCryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause enteric infections in a wide range of hosts, including humans. Both are transmitted from animals to humans by direct contact or through contaminated equipment. Bears are frequently found in Chinese zoos as ornamental animals as well as farmed as commercial animals, and are therefore in close contact with zoo- or farm-keepers, but the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in bears is poorly understood. In this study, we aimed to provide data on the occurrence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in Asiatic black bears from Heilongjiang and Fujian, China. From May 2015 to December 2017, 218 fresh fecal specimens were collected from captive Asiatic black bears in Heilongjiang (n = 36) and Fujian (n = 182), China. Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi were examined by PCR amplification of the partial small subunit of ribosomal DNA (SSU rDNA) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rDNA, respectively. C. andersoni-positive isolates were subtyped through PCR analysis of the four minisatellite/microsatellite (MS1, MS2, MS3 and MS16) loci.ResultsThe overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi were 2.4% (4/218) and 6.4% (14/218), respectively, with 2.8% (1/36) and 22.2% (8/36) in the Heilongjiang Province, and 1.6% (3/182) and 3.3% (6/182) in the Fujian Province. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of Cryptosporidium species: C. andersoni (n = 3) and a genotype termed Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV (n = 1). All three identified C. andersoni belonged to the MLST subtype A4, A4, A4, A1. Two known E. bieneusi genotypes D (n = 4) and SC02 (n = 10) were identified, both of which belong to zoonotic Group 1.ConclusionsThis is the first report of C. andersoni and Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV in bears. The discovery of the zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi genotype D in bears highlights its significant zoonotic potential and potential threat to human health.
Highlights
Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause enteric infections in a wide range of hosts, including humans
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of natural Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi infections in bears from the Heilongjiang and Fujian Province, China, to genotype Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi isolates by sequence analysis of Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) products of the SSU Small subunit of nuclear ribosomal RNA (rRNA) and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene, respectively
Occurrence of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi A total of 4/218 (1.8, 95% Confidence intervals (CI): 0–3.6%) and 14/218 (6.4, 95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 3.1–9.7%) fecal specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi, respectively, and the differences between the overall prevalence values of the two pathogens were significant (P = 0.03, χ2 = 5.80)
Summary
Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause enteric infections in a wide range of hosts, including humans. Both are transmitted from animals to humans by direct contact or through contaminated equipment. Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important pathogens with zoonotic potential that cause diarrhea in humans and a variety of animal species [1, 2]. Cryptosporidium oocysts and E. bieneusi spores, the infective stage, are ubiquitous in the environment Both humans and animals can be infected through direct contact with an infected host, or through indirect ingestion of oocyst-contaminated water or food [2, 3]. Tracing the sources of contamination and elucidating the transmission routes of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi are important steps in adequately controlling human infections
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