Goats Research Articles

Functional surface expression of immunoglobulin cleavage systems in a candidate Mycoplasma vaccine chassis

The Mycoplasma Immunoglobulin Binding/Protease (MIB-MIP) system is a candidate ‘virulence factor present in multiple pathogenic species of the Mollicutes, including the fast-growing species Mycoplasma feriruminatoris. The MIB-MIP system cleaves the heavy chain of host immunoglobulins, hence affecting antigen-antibody interactions and potentially facilitating immune evasion. In this work, using -omics technologies and 5’RACE, we show that the four copies of the M. feriruminatoris MIB-MIP system have different expression levels and are transcribed as operons controlled by four different promoters. Individual MIB-MIP gene pairs of M. feriruminatoris and other Mollicutes were introduced in an engineered M. feriruminatoris strain devoid of MIB-MIP genes and were tested for their functionality using newly developed oriC-based plasmids. The two proteins are functionally expressed at the surface of M. feriruminatoris, which confirms the possibility to display large membrane-associated proteins in this bacterium. However, functional expression of heterologous MIB-MIP systems introduced in this engineered strain from phylogenetically distant porcine Mollicutes like Mesomycoplasma hyorhinis or Mesomycoplasma hyopneumoniae could not be achieved. Finally, since M. feriruminatoris is a candidate for biomedical applications such as drug delivery, we confirmed its safety in vivo in domestic goats, which are the closest livestock relatives to its native host the Alpine ibex.

Anthropogenic events and responses to environmental stress are shaping the genomes of Ethiopian indigenous goats

Anthropological and biophysical processes have shaped livestock genomes over Millenia and can explain their current geographic distribution and genetic divergence. We analyzed 57 Ethiopian indigenous domestic goat genomes alongside 67 equivalents of east, west, and north-west African, European, South Asian, Middle East, and wild Bezoar goats. Cluster, ADMIXTURE (K = 4) and phylogenetic analysis revealed four genetic groups comprising African, European, South Asian, and wild Bezoar goats. The Middle Eastern goats had an admixed genome of these four genetic groups. At K = 5, the West African Dwarf and Moroccan goats were separated from East African goats demonstrating a likely historical legacy of goat arrival and dispersal into Africa via the coastal Mediterranean Sea and the Horn of Africa. FST, XP-EHH, and Hp analysis revealed signatures of selection in Ethiopian goats overlaying genes for thermo-sensitivity, oxidative stress response, high-altitude hypoxic adaptation, reproductive fitness, pathogen defence, immunity, pigmentation, DNA repair, modulation of renal function and integrated fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. Notable examples include TRPV1 (a nociception gene); PTPMT1 (a critical hypoxia survival gene); RETREG (a regulator of reticulophagy during starvation), and WNK4 (a molecular switch for osmoregulation). These results suggest that human-mediated translocations and adaptation to contrasting environments are shaping indigenous African goat genomes.

Pharmacokinetics of nalbuphine administered intravenously and subcutaneously in goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)

Pharmacokinetics of nalbuphine administered intravenously and subcutaneously in goats (<i>Capra aegagrus hircus</i>)

Characteristics of Farming of the Kirdi Goat (Capra hircus) in the Far North Region, Cameroon

Characteristics of Farming of the Kirdi Goat (Capra hircus) in the Far North Region, Cameroon

CRISPR-mediated editing of β-lactoglobulin (BLG) gene in buffalo

Milk is a good source of nutrition but is also a source of allergenic proteins such as α-lactalbumin, β-lactoglobulin (BLG), casein, and immunoglobulins. The Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR)/Cas technology has the potential to edit any gene, including milk allergens. Previously, CRISPR/Cas has been successfully employed in dairy cows and goats, but buffaloes remain unexplored for any milk trait. In this study, we utilized the CRISPR/Cas9 system to edit the major milk allergen BLG gene in buffaloes. First, the editing efficiency of designed sgRNAs was tested in fibroblast cells using the T7E assay and Sanger sequencing. The most effective sgRNA was selected to generate clonal lines of BLG-edited cells. Analysis of 15 single-cell clones, through TA cloning and Sanger sequencing, revealed that 7 clones exhibited bi-allelic (−/−) heterozygous, bi-allelic (−/−) homozygous, and mono-allelic (−/+) disruptions in BLG. Bioinformatics prediction analysis confirmed that non-multiple-of-3 edited nucleotide cell clones have frame shifts and early truncation of BLG protein, while multiple-of-3 edited nucleotides resulted in slightly disoriented protein structures. Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) method was used to produce blastocyst-stage embryos that have similar developmental rates and quality with wild-type embryos. This study demonstrated the successful bi-allelic editing (−/−) of BLG in buffalo cells through CRISPR/Cas, followed by the production of BLG-edited blastocyst stage embryos using SCNT. With CRISPR and SCNT methods described herein, our long-term goal is to generate gene-edited buffaloes with BLG-free milk.

Morphostructural composition and meat quality in local goat kids from the northeastern region of Mexico

Morphostructural composition and meat quality in local goat kids from the northeastern region of Mexico

Effects of acute and chronic heat stress on the rumen microbiome in dairy goats

Objective: The objective of this study was to reveal the influence of acute and chronic heat stress (HS) on the abundance and function of rumen microbiome and host metabolism.Methods: Forty mid-lactation goats were randomly divided into two artificial environments: control group and heat-stressed group. This study was recorded from two periods, 1 day and 28 days. The first day was defined as control 1 (CT1) and HS 1 (acute HS), and the last day was defined as CT28 and HS28 (chronic HS). On the first and last day, 6 dairy goats in each group were randomly selected to collect rumen liquid after the morning feeding through oral stomach tubes. The barn temperature and humidity were recorded every day.Results: Disruption of the rumen microbiome was observed under chronic HS, represented by an increase in the abundance of &lt;i&gt;Prevotella&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Bacteroidales&lt;/i&gt; (p&lt;0.05), and upregulation of carbohydrate transport and metabolism functions (p&lt;0.05). Additionally, the abundance of &lt;i&gt;Succinimonas&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Ruminobacter&lt;/i&gt; in chronic HS is lower than in acute HS (p&lt;0.05), and the functions of intracellular trafficking, secretion and vesicular transport, and the cytoskeleton were downregulated (p&lt;0.05).Conclusion: The HS affected the interaction between the microbiota and host, thereby regulated milk production in dairy goats. These findings increased understanding of the crosstalk between hosts and bacteria.

The Effects of Flax and Mustard Seed Inclusion in Dairy Goats’ Diet on Milk Nutritional Quality

Our study evaluated the impact of incorporating flax seeds or a flax and mustard seeds’ mixture into goats’ diets to enhance milk polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). The incorporation of mustard seeds also aimed to slow the lipid oxidation process. A three-week feeding trial was conducted on 18 lactating goats, randomly distributed in three groups: control (C), FS (replacing 12% of the oil source with flax seeds), and FMS (replacing a quarter of flax seeds with mustard seeds). Flax seed inclusion improved the quality of milk fat by reducing saturated fatty acid concentration (p = 0.004) and increasing PUFA levels (p = 0.001). Both experimental groups significantly lowered the omega 6/omega 3 fatty acid ratio (p &lt; 0.001). The FMS group showed a significantly higher total vitamin E concentration (p = 0.007). The fat oxidation parameters revealed that after 24 h of storage at room temperature, the p-anisidine value increased for the FS group compared to the C group, while the FSM group showed no significant difference, suggesting that the combined inclusion of flax and mustard seeds may prolong milk storage time by mitigating secondary oxidation products. This highlights the potential benefits of incorporating the studied seeds into goats’ diets for improving milk quality and extending its shelf life.

Bovine Rhinitis B Virus Variant as the Putative Cause of Bronchitis in Goat Kids.

A diagnostic investigation into an outbreak of fatal respiratory disease among young goats in Iowa, USA revealed bronchitis lesions of unknown etiology and secondary bacterial bronchopneumonia. Hypothesis-free metagenomics identified a previously unreported picornavirus (USA/IA26017/2023), and further phylogenetic analysis classified USA/IA26017/2023 as an aphthovirus related to bovine rhinitis B virus. Viral nucleic acid was localized to lesions of bronchitis using in situ hybridization. This marks the first report of a picornavirus putatively causing respiratory disease in goats and highlights the potential for cross-species transmission of aphthoviruses.

Tracking melioidosis in Iran: Utilizing abattoir-based surveillance as a One Health approach.

Burkholderia pseudomallei, an environmental saprophyte bacterium, causes melioidosis in humans and animals. It was first discovered in Iran between 1967 and 1976 in small ruminants, equines, environments and humans. No subsequent studies have been conducted to determine the existence and prevalence of this pathogen in the country. The present study aims to monitor the presence of B. pseudomallei in the ruminant population of the Golestan province of Iran, which largely depends on pastures. The ruminants can serve as sentinels to indicate the presence of the bacteria in the environment and its potential impact on human health in the One Health triad. Liver and lung abscesses from domestic sheep, cattle and goats in three industrial and three conventional slaughterhouses were sampled and analysed using 23S ribosomal DNA polymerase chain reaction (rDNA PCR) with primers CVMP 23-1 and CVP-23-2 for B. pseudomallei, Burkholderia cepacia and Burkholderia vietnamiensis, as well as B. pseudomallei-specific TTS1 real-time PCR, along with microbiological and biochemical assays. Out of the 97 animals sampled, only 14 (15%) tested positive for 23S rDNA PCR. However, the follow-up evaluation using TTS1 real-time PCR and microbiological and biochemical assays did not confirm the presence of B. pseudomallei in the samples. Although B. pseudomallei was not detected in the current survey, conducting abattoir-based surveillance of ruminants is a cost-effective One Health approach to monitor pathogenic Burkholderia. Developing standards of clinical and laboratory good practices for Burkholderia infections is crucial for One Health surveillance.

Integrating of the domestic goat into the rice-fish coculture systems: Rice paddy yield, diet, growth parameters, and intestine microbiota of common carp Cyprinus carpio (Linnaeus, 1758)

Feeding the World while ensuring food security and biodiversity conservation is one of the sustainable development challenges. Integrating farming systems holds great promise for enhancing agricultural sustainability. To reach this goal, the domestic goat (Capra hircus) was integrated into the rice fish system. Four plots each 5 m × 10.65 m were made in two experimental systems, goat-rice-fish (GRF) and rice-fish (RF). We compared the impacts on rice productivity, fish growth performance, water quality, dietary patterns, and gut microbiota composition between both systems. On the one hand, the rice yield indicators, survival rate (SR), specific growth rate (SGR), pH temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP) were compared. On the other hand, the frequency of occurrence (FOC) of food items of fish (Cyprinus carpio), and the microbiota communities in goat faeces (GoFe) and fish intestines were also examined and compared among both systems. The results showed that the rice yield, the number of filled spikelets per panicle, the number of panicles per land area, and the 1000-grain weight were significantly increased with the integration of goat in the rice-fish coculture system. The SR of fish under the goat-rice-fish system was 12.12% significantly higher than that of the fish under the rice-fish system, as well as the SGR of fish in the GRF system was 21.85% significantly higher than that of the rice-fish system. However, the water quality analyses indicated that the integration of goats significantly increased the concentration of TN and TP. The DO concentration in the GRF system was 25.93% lower than that in the RF system. Dietary analysis of the common carp in goat-rice fish systems revealed shifts in foraging behaviors and diet composition compared to the rice-fish system. Furthermore, the study showed higher diversity in the gut microbiota communities of fish in response to goat-rice-fish integration. In conclusion, this comprehensive investigation underscores the complex and interconnected dynamics within the goat-rice-fish integrated system. It highlights the importance of balanced management practices to harness the system's potential for improved rice yield, fish ecology, and water quality. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of sustainable integrated farming practices and inform strategies for optimizing the productivity and ecological resilience of this integrated agroecosystem.

First report on seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection in zoo animals in Algeria

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the world's most widespread polyxenic protozoan parasites that affect all warm-blooded animals, including humans. This survey aims to study, for the first time in Algeria, the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma infection in zoo animals. The study included eight animal species of which 54 serum samples were collected from 30 Australian goats (Capra hircus), four bulls (Bos taurus), one dromedary (Camelus dromedarius), three cuffed sheep (Ammotragus lervia), seven donkeys (Equus asinus), one pony (Equus ferus), four bearded horses (Equus ferus caballus) and four rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). The presence of antibodies to T. gondii was determined using the ID Screen® Toxoplasmosis Indirect Multispecies ELISA kit (IDVet, Grabels, France). A total of 8/54 (14.8%) samples were seropositive, including 5/28 (17.9%) males and 3/26 (11.5%) females. The seroprevalence was 6.7%, 50%, 25% and 75% in Capra hircus, Bos Taurus, Equus ferus caballus, and Oryctolagus cuniculus, respectively. No cases were observed in Camelus dromedarius, Ammotragus lervia, Equus asinus, and Equus ferus. This study indicates, for the first time in Algeria, the seroprevalence of T. gondii in zoo animals.

Cellular distribution of AQP1, AQP2, and AQP3 in ureter and urinary bladder of goats in different seasons

Aquaporins (AQP) are transmembrane proteins that function as channels for water molecules' movement. It is conserved across bacteria, plants and animals. It helps in thermoregulation during extreme climatic conditions. So, this study focuses on the expression of AQP1, AQP2 and AQP3 in the ureter and bladder tissues of goat (Capra hircus) during winter, spring and summer seasons. The study was conducted on goats (n=30) to investigate the expression of AQP (water channels) in ureter and urinary bladder and metabolic and hormonal influence by aquaporins. mRNAs were isolated from ureter and urinary bladder tissues and cDNA were synthesized for RT-PCR expression studies. Biochemical parameters were studied in the blood samples. AQP1 mRNA expression was non-significant in goat ureters but considerably greater (p<0.05) in the urine bladder during summer compared to winter. During the summer, both ureter and urinary bladder tissue samples showed increased expression of AQP2 and AQP3. Aquaporins 3 had significantly greater (p<0.05) mRNA expression in the ureter and urine bladder than Aquaporins 1 and 2 throughout the summer season. The significant (p<0.05) increase in physiological responses, haematological counts and blood biochemical components seen in goats throughout the summer season. Finally, it concludes that AQP and their role in thermotolerance and direct association with effective water balance mechanisms in the body via expression of AQP in different extreme climatic conditions.

Potential role of peste des petits ruminants virus in small ruminant abortions

The aim of the present study was to investigate the frequency, genetic variability, and phylogeny of the peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in ovine and caprine fetuses. During 2014 and 2017, a total of 1054 embryos/fetuses were collected in Turkey. A real-time RT-PCR assay was used for the detection of the PPRV RNA. Genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis of the PPRV field isolates were conducted by sequencing fusion (F) protein and nucleoprotein (N) gene segments. Samples were also collected from ewes (n = 83) and nanny goats (n = 3) that had aborted and whose embryos/fetuses were found to be PPRV positive. PPRV positive embryos/fetuses were also tested for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes, Campylobacter spp., Coxiella burnetii, Chlamydophila abortus, Brucella spp., akabane virus, aino virus, bluetongue virus, border disease virus, bovine viral diarrhea virus, Cache Valley virus, and Schmallenberg virus. PPRV RNA was detected in 123 (11.7 %) of the 1054 embryos/fetuses, 78 of the 83 (94 %) ewes and 3 (100 %) nanny goats. Border disease virus RNA and Chlamydophila abortus DNA were detected in 7 and 12 PPRV positive sheep fetuses, respectively, while other bacterial and viral agents were not detected. Phylogenetically, the field isolates in this study belong to lineage IV, and compared to other strains of lineage IV considered in this study, they showed 1 and 5 new amino acid substitutions in the F and N gene sequences, respectively. The results of the study suggest that PPRV plays an important role in abortion. Therefore, PPRV needs to be taken into consideration in sheep and goats abortions.

Dairy goat doe-kid rearing systems: Farmers' motivations and a description of practices, benefits, and drawbacks

In French dairy goat systems, kids are generally separated from their mother does shortly after birth. The main drivers of this practice are related to health-especially the prevention of the Caprine Arthritis Encephalitis Virus (CAEV) transmission-and economics. However, the separation of young ruminants from their does is being increasingly questioned by society and has raised concerns about the satisfaction of their behavioral needs. Some farmers choose to leave their female kids with their does. The aims of this study were to understand their motivations for leaving kids with their does, to describe how kids are reared in this case and how farmers perceive different aspects of the impacts of this practice. Individual semi-structured interviews were carried out with 40 farmers who had implemented the kids-with-does practice for at least one year. Compared with the national database describing the French population of dairy goat farmers, the characteristics of the interviewed farmers differed from those of the general population. They were younger and had done longer studies. Their farms were smaller, mainly with rare breeds and milk was mainly processed on-farm under an organic certification system. They chose to implement this practice for different reasons: ethical considerations, improving integration of kids within the herd, saving time and increasing comfort at work or improving the kids' growth, welfare, and health. The doe-kid rearing contact practices varied greatly between farms, with some kids staying with their does from a period of 45 d to never being separated; furthermore, some kids remained with their does all day, while others remained together part of the day or for a limited time, and daily contact evolved over time. Overall, farmers were satisfied as the benefits quoted were coherent with their motivations to implement this rearing practice. Most have decided to continue the practice, though usually with changes. However, as 40% of them had only 3 years or less of experience of doe-kid rearing, some had not sufficient hindsight into long-term issues such as the transmission of CAEV. It is crucial to tackle challenges associated with this practice, i.e., potentially wild kids, health issues, and economic consequences stemming from a reduction in marketable milk.

Genomic analysis of conservation status, population structure, and admixture in local Czech and Slovak dairy goat breeds

While dairy goat production, characterized by traditional production on small farms, is an important source of income in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, locally adapted breeds have not been fully consolidated over the last 100 years due to large fluctuations in population size and inconsistent breeding programs that allowed for different crossbreeding strategies. Our main objective in this study was therefore to assess the conservation status of 4 Czech (Alpine Goat, White Shorthair, Brown Shorthair and Czech Landrace) and one Slovak (Slovak White Shorthair) local goat breeds, to analyze their population structure and admixture, and to estimate their relatedness to several neighboring breeds. Our analyses included 142 goats belonging to 5 local breeds genotyped with the Illumina 50K BeadChip and 618 previously genotyped animals representing 15 goat breeds from Austria and Switzerland (all analyses based on 46,862 autosomal SNPs and 760 animals). In general, the conservation status of the Czech and Slovak local goat breeds was satisfactory, with the exception of the Brown Shorthair goat, as the analyzed parameters (heterozygosity, haplotype richness, ROH-based inbreeding and effective population size) were mostly above the median of 20 breeds. However, for all 5 Czech and Slovakian breeds, an examination of historical effective population size indicated a substantial decline about 8 to 22 generations ago. In addition, our study revealed that the Czech and Slovakian breeds are not fully consolidated; for instance, White Shorthair and Brown Shorthair were not clearly distinguishable. Considerable admixture, especially in Czech Landrace (effective number of parental clusters equal to 4.2), and low but numerous migration rates from other Austrian and Swiss breeds were found. These results provide valuable insights for future breeding programs and genetic diversity management of local Czech and Slovak goat breeds.

Recapitulation of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Prevalence in Small Ruminant Populations of Pakistan from 2004 to 2023: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an extremely transmissible viral disease caused by the PPR virus that impacts domestic small ruminants, namely sheep and goats. This study aimed to employ a methodical approach to evaluate the regional occurrence of PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan and the contributing factors that influence its prevalence. A thorough search was performed in various databases to identify published research articles between January 2004 and August 2023 on PPR in small ruminants in Pakistan. Articles were chosen based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. A total of 25 articles were selected from 1275 studies gathered from different databases. The overall pooled prevalence in Pakistan was calculated to be 51% (95% CI: 42-60), with heterogeneity I2 = 100%, τ2 = 0.0495, and p = 0. The data were summarized based on the division into five regions: Punjab, Baluchistan, KPK, Sindh, and GB and AJK. Among these, the pooled prevalence of PPR in Sindh was 61% (95% CI: 46-75), I2 = 100%, τ2 = 0.0485, and p = 0, while in KPK, it was 44% (95% CI: 26-63), I2 = 99%, τ2 = 0.0506, and p < 0.01. However, the prevalence of PPR in Baluchistan and Punjab was almost the same. Raising awareness, proper surveillance, and application of appropriate quarantine measures interprovincially and across borders must be maintained to contain the disease.

The comparative advantage of urban goat production.

Urban agriculture significantly contributes to food security. The two primary components of urban agriculture are livestock production and horticulture. The goat, Capra hircus, is one of the commonly raised food animals. Goats can be used to generate income, produce milk, meat, skins, furs (hairs) and manure and provide various sociocultural and ecological services. This study evaluates the significance of urban goat production and recommends ways to lessen the adverse impacts of urban goat production. This report involved an in-depth interview with seven key informants in Adama and Addis Ababa cities. Goats can thrive in limited urban open spaces, scavenge leftovers from homes and open markets and browse on open public land. Goats can be incorporated into urban agriculture, in so doing contributing to a circular economy. Goats can thrive on a limited supply of water and feed and require less care and space. Goat farming is used to mitigate the adverse impact of climate change. Goats are naturally active, which makes them better at avoiding traffic accidents. Goats can be used to control bush encroachment. Goat farming in cities improves land use efficiency and food security. Being friendly animals, goats can be utilized to play with kids, and they can be a basic piece of metropolitan ecotourism. However, goats can harm urban green spaces; therefore, to avoid issues of this kind, goat production must be zoned. Urban goat farming could add a new dimension to urban food security. Extensive pieces of empirical evidence need to be generated to enhance the adoption of urban goat farming.

Evaluation of inter-observer reliability in the case of trichotomous and four-level animal-based welfare indicators with two observers

This study focuses on assessing inter-observer reliability (IOR) between two observers in the case of trichotomous and four-level animal-based welfare indicators assessed at individual level. The Body Condition Score (BCS) and Knee calluses (KNC) were chosen as trichotomous indicators; data were collected in fourteen intensively managed dairy goat farms in Italy (ITF1 to ITF7) and Portugal (PTF1 to PTF7) and in extensively managed dairy goat farms exploiting three alpine pastures (AP1, AP2 and AP3) in Italy. The Ear posture (EP) and Eye white (EW) were chosen as four-level indicators; data were collected in three intensively managed dairy cattle farms (F1, F2 and F3) in Italy. The performance of the most documented agreement indices was compared. In the case of trichotomous indicators, Scott’s π, Cohen’s K, Cohen’s K C, Cohen’s weighted K and Krippendorff’s α were affected by the paradox effect: when the concordance rate (P0) was high, they sometimes gave very low or even negative values (e.g. P0(BCS-ITF3) = 74%; Scott’s π = 0.05; Cohen’s K = 0.09; Krippendorff’s α = 0.06; P0(BCS-AP3) = 74%; Scott’s π = −0.12; Cohen’s K = Krippendorff’s α = −0.11). Bangdiwala’s B, Gwet’s γ(AC1) and Quatto’s weighted S were not affected by this phenomenon and provided values very close to P0 (e.g. P0(KNC-PTF1) = 88%; Bangdiwala’s B = Gwet’s γ(AC1) = 0.85; P0(BCS-AP1) = 82%; Bangdiwala’s B = Gwet’s γ(AC1) = 0.79). In the case of four-level indicators, Cohen’s K and Krippendorff’s α were not affected by the paradox behaviour. However, Cohen’s K C in some cases exceeded the observed P0 (e.g. P0(EP-F3) = 78%; Cohen’s K C = 1). Gwet’s γ(AC1) showed the best results for four-level indicators (e.g. P0(EP-F1) = 88%; Gwet’s γ(AC1) = 0.86), followed by Quatto’s S and Holley and Guilford’s G (e.g. P0(EP-F1) = 88%; Quatto’s S = Holley and Guilford’s G = 0.84). To evaluate IOR between two observers, Bangdiwala’s B, Gwet’s γ(AC1) and Quatto’s weighted S are suggested for trichotomous indicators, while Gwet’s γ(AC1), Quatto’s S and Holley and Guilford’s G are suggested for four-level indicators.

Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Giardia duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in Black Goats in Shanxi Province, North China: From a Public Health Perspective.

Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent zoonotic intestinal parasites that can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal diseases in humans and many animals. Black goat (Capra hircus) farming is increasingly important in China due to the remarkable adaptability, high reproductive performance, rapid growth rate, and significant economic value of black goats. A number of studies have indicated that black goats are the potential reservoir of multiple zoonotic protozoans in China; however, the prevalence and zoonotic status of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province is still unknown. Thus, a total of 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected from several representative regions at different altitudes in Shanxi Province and were examined for the presence and genotypes of G. duodenallis and Blastocystis spp. by amplifying the beta-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) loci of G. duodenalis and SSU rRNA of Blastocystis spp. using PCR and sequence analysis methods, respectively. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. Two assemblages (B and E) of G. duodenalis and four subtypes (ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30) of Blastocystis spp. were identified, with assemblage E and ST10 as the prevalent genotype and subtype in black goats, respectively. One novel multilocus genotype (MLG) was identified in MLG-E and was designated as MLG-E12. For both G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., the prevalence was significantly related to the region and age groups (p < 0.05). This is the first report on the prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province. These results not only provide baseline data for the prevention and control of both parasites in black goats in Shanxi Province, but also enhance our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of these two parasites.