First detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in whooper swans (Cygnus cygnus) in China

Abstract

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a parasite that infects humans and a wide range of other animals. The large migratory waterfowl, the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), travels through many cities during its migration and can spread parasites. Despite receiving increasing attention worldwide, there have been no reports of E. bieneusi infection occurring in C. cygnus. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus in Sanmenxia, China.Methods: Altogether, 467 fresh fecal samples were collected in the Swan Wetland Park in Sanmenxia, China. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh fecal samples (n = 467) and E. bieneusi was identified by nested PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. ITS-positive sequences were aligned and phylogenetically analyzed to determine the genotypes of E. bieneusi. Results:The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus was 7.49% (35/467). Sequencing of the 35 positive samples revealed eight known genotypes (EbpA, EbpC, Henan-III, Henan-IV, BEB6, CD9, Peru6 and PtEb IX) and three novel genotypes (CSW1, CSW2 and CSW3). The phylogenetic tree constructed from the ITS sequences showed that seven genotypes (Peru6, EbpA, EbpC, Henan-III, CSW3, Henan-IV and CSW1) clustered within the zoonotic Group 1 while the remaining novel genotype CSW2 clustered within Group 5. Conclusions:To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus. Of public health significance, our results suggest that migratory C. cygnus might play an important role in the water-borne transmission of E. bieneusi. Effective strategies will be necessary to control E. bieneusi infection in C. cygnus, other animals and humans.

Occurrence and potentially zoonotic genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wild rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) living in Nanwan Monkey Island, Hainan, China: a public health concern

“…PtEbI, PtEbVII) (from Peru and Portugal) and Henan-III (from Malaysia and China) have been spread across limited geographical area as well as small number of E. bieneusi -infected human cases compared with genotypes D and Type I [ 34 – 36 ]. Meanwhile, genotype Peru 6 has been identified in sheep, goats, reindeers, and wastewater [ 37 – 40 ], whereas genotype Henan-III has been found in NHPs, pet snakes, pigs, and birds in China [ 41 – 44 ]. Therefore, the above shreds of evidence suggest the possible zoonotic transmission of these genotypes from the wild rhesus macaques to humans.…”

Molecular-Based Detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Farmed Masked Palm Civets (Paguma larvata) in Hainan, China: A High-Prevalence, Specificity, and Zoonotic Potential of ITS Genotypes

“…Additionally, they have also been found in some animals from China. For instance, genotype KIN-1 has been found in pigs, cattle, deer, and goats (21)(22)(23)(24); genotype CHN4 in calf and coypus (25,26); and genotype Henan-III in NHPs, pet snakes, pigs, and birds (6,(27)(28)(29). The above results indicate that masked palm civets could harbor the different zoonotic genotypes.…”

Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi Infection in Wild Rodents From Six Provinces in China

“…Genotype XJP-II was previously found in pigs in Xinjiang ( Li D. F. et al., 2019b ), and NCF2 was also identified in farmed foxes ( Vulpes lagopus ) ( Zhang et al., 2016 ; Ma et al., 2020 ) and raccoon dogs ( Nyctereutes procyonoides ) ( Xu et al., 2016 ) in China, Kangaroo in Australia ( Zhang Y. et al., 2018 ). Genotypes EbpC, EbpA, and D were frequently found in humans and a broad range of animals ( Wang et al., 2013 ; Liu et al., 2017 ; Qi et al., 2018 ; Zhang X. X. et al., 2018 ; Zou et al., 2018 ; Wang H. et al., 2020 ; Wang Y. et al., 2020 ; Yu et al., 2020 ). The results showed that natural transmission of E. bieneusi among rodents, humans and many other animals may occur.…”