Abstract
BackgroundMicrosporidiosis is a common disease in animals and humans around the world. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidian species in humans. Many animal species may be a potential source of human microsporidiosis. However, information concerning prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi infection in farmed foxes (Vulpes lagopus) is scarce. Therefore, the present study examined prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes in northern China using a genetic approach.ResultsOf 302 fecal samples from farmed foxes, 37 (12.25 %, 95 % CI 8.55–15.95) were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi, and the prevalence was highly associated with the farming mode in that foxes raised outdoors (26.03 % positive, 95 % CI 18.91–33.15) had a significantly higher E. bieneusi prevalence than those raised indoors. Eleven internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genotypes were identified among the positive samples: four known E. bieneusi genotypes (Peru 8, Types IV, CHN-DC1 and D) and seven novel genotypes (NCF1-NCF7). Genotype NCF2 was the commonest (n = 13) and was found in five farms across three provinces (Jilin, Heilongjiang and Hebei). All genotypes belonged to phylogenetic group 1. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analyses revealed additional diversity.ConclusionsThese findings indicate the presence of zoonotic E. bieneusi infection in farmed foxes in northern China. This is also the first report of genotypes Peru8, CHN-DC1 and Type IV, and seven novel genotypes (NCF1-NCF7) in farmed foxes by ITS combining with microsatellite and minisatellite markers for the first time. The results will provide baseline data for preventing and controlling E. bieneusi infection in farmed foxes, other animals and humans.
Highlights
Microsporidiosis is a common disease in animals and humans around the world
Adult foxes had a higher E. bieneusi prevalence compared with young foxes and pre-weaning foxes, but the difference was not significant (P = 0.39) (Table 2)
Foxes raised outdoors (26.03 % positive, 95 % CI 18.91–33.15) showed a significantly higher E. bieneusi prevalence compared to those raised indoors (5.77 % positive, 95 % CI 2.11–9.43, P < 0.0001) (Table 2)
Summary
Microsporidiosis is a common disease in animals and humans around the world. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common microsporidian species in humans. Many animal species may be a potential source of human microsporidiosis. Information concerning prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi infection in farmed foxes (Vulpes lagopus) is scarce. The present study examined prevalence, risk factors and genotypes of E. bieneusi in farmed foxes in northern China using a genetic approach. Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, and Encephalitozoon hellem are the major microsporidians infecting humans worldwide [5], with E. bieneusi being the most common, responsible for 90 % of all microsporidian infections [6]. The first case of human infection with E. bieneusi was reported in an AIDS patient with chronic diarrhea [6, 7]. Feces containing E. bieneusi spores can contaminate water or food, leading to microsporidiosis outbreaks [9]
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