Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) from Shishou, China

Abstract

Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are important intestinal pathogens that infect humans and various animals. Few reports are available regarding the infections of the two pathogens in Père David's deer. In this study, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed Cryptosporidium infection in two (1.6%) and E. bieneusi in 45 (35.2%) of 128 fecal samples collected from Père David's deer in the National Nature Reserve of Shishou, Hubei Province, China. C. parvum (n = 1) and Cryptosporidium deer genotype (n = 1) were identified using the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The C. parvum was further subtyped as IIdA20G1 by sequencing analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. The identity of E. bieneusi was confirmed by an internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene; the HLJD-V (n = 42) and MWC_d1 (n = 3) genotypes were identified, with the former clustering in group 2 and the latter in group 1. These data suggest that the Père David's deer were infected with host-specific and/or zoonotic genotypes of these pathogens, implicating Père David's deer could be a potential source of human Cryptosporidium infection.

Prevalence and Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species and Genotypes in Four Farmed Deer Species in the Northeast of China

“…However, the number of studies characterizing Cryptosporidium spp. in deer is low ( Table 1) (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). In this study, the average prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the different deer species was 7.1% (15.1% for sika deer, 4.0% for reindeer, 4.6% for red deer, and 5.6% for roe deer), which was higher than previous studies in China (13)(14)(15)(16).…”

“…in deer is low ( Table 1) (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). In this study, the average prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the different deer species was 7.1% (15.1% for sika deer, 4.0% for reindeer, 4.6% for red deer, and 5.6% for roe deer), which was higher than previous studies in China (13)(14)(15)(16). Meanwhile, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was higher in young animals (17.1%) than adults (3.7%), consistent with previous studies (19,21,29).…”

“…A number of lines of evidence supported the observation that deer are the only animal host for Cryptosporidium deer genotype ( 15 ). This genotype has been identified in sika deer from China and Japan, white-tailed deer from the Czech Republic and USA, roe deer from the UK, red deer from China and the UK, and Père David's deer from China ( 13 – 16 , 19 , 22 , 23 ).…”

“…muskrat II genotype, C. hominis-like genotype, and caribou genotype) are prevalent, suggesting that deer infection with Cryptosporidium poses a potential threat to human health ( Table 1) (11)(12)(13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25). In China, reindeer, sika deer, red deer, and Siberian roe deer (Capreolus pygargus) are commonly farmed in the northeast of China (14).…”

“…In China, reindeer, sika deer, red deer, and Siberian roe deer ( Capreolus pygargus ) are commonly farmed in the northeast of China ( 14 ). However, reports on Cryptosporidium infections in these animals are limited ( 13 – 16 ). This study investigated the prevalence and species/genotypes distribution of Cryptosporidium in these four deer species in northeastern China.…”