Occurrence and Genotypic Identification of Blastocystis spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Giardia duodenalis in Leizhou Black Goats in Zhanjiang City, Guangdong Province, China

Abstract

Blastocystis spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Giardia duodenalis are three common zoonotic intestinal parasites that cause severe diarrhea and enteric diseases. Leizhou black goats are characterized by a high reproductive rate, fast growth, and good meat quality, making them one of the pre-eminent goat breeds in China. Goats are reportedly common reservoirs of these three intestinal pathogens, but no information on their prevalence or genotypic distributions in black goats in Guangdong Province, China, is available. A total of 226 fecal samples were collected from goats in Zhanjiang city and genomic DNA was extracted from them. The presence of the three pathogens was detected using nested PCR targeting the sequences encoding SSU rRNA (Blastocystis spp.), the internal transcribed spacer of rRNA (ITS; E. bieneusi), as well as beta-giardin, glutamate dehydrogenase, and triosephosphate isomerase (G. duodenalis). All PCR products were sequenced to determine the species and genotypes of the organisms. The total prevalence rates of Blastocystis spp., E. bieneusi, and G. duodenalis were 33.63% (76/226), 17.70% (40/226), and 24.78% (56/226), respectively. Four subtypes of Blastocystis spp. were detected: ST5 (n = 6), ST10 (n = 50), ST14 (n = 14), and ST21 (n = 6). Among them, ST10 was the dominant genotype, accounting for 65.79% of strains, followed by the genotypes ST14 (18.42%), zoonotic ST5 (7.89%), and ST21 (7.89%). Four genotypes of E. bieneusi were detected: CHG3 (n = 32), CM21 (n = 4), CHG1 (n = 2), and ET-L2 (n = 2). Among these, CHG3 was the dominant genotype. Assemblage E (n = 54) and concurrent assemblages A and E (n = 2) were identified in the G. duodenalis-positive goats using multilocus genotyping. Blastocystis spp., E. bieneusi, and G. duodenalis infections were common in Leizhou black goats, all of which have zoonotic genotypes, indicating the potential risk of zoonotic transmission. Our results provide basic data for the prevention and control of these three intestinal pathogens. Further studies are required to better understand their genetic characteristics and zoonotic potential in Guangdong Province.

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

“…Moreover, the G. duodenalis prevalence in goats in China ranged from 0 to 46.2% ( Table S5 ). In this study, the prevalence of G. duodenalis in black goats in Shanxi Province was higher than that in goats in some countries [ 38 , 39 ] and some provinces of China, such as Yunnan province [ 19 , 30 , 34 , 40 , 41 , 42 ], but lower than that in goats in some other countries, e.g., Greece and India [ 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 ] and some other provinces of China [ 29 , 35 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 ] ( Table S5 ). These results indicate the importance of goats as hosts for G. duodenalis and their potential role in transmitting giardiasis caused by this parasite.…”

“…The prevalence of Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province was lower than that in Guangdong Province (33.6%) [ 29 ], the Tibet Autonomous Region (8.5%) [ 60 ], Shaanxi Province (58.1%) [ 61 ] of China, Malaysia (30.9%) [ 62 ], Portugal (12.7%) [ 63 ], and Libya (10.5%) [ 64 ]. In this study, mostly Blastocystis -positive samples in black goats were detected from Changzhi City, which exhibited a significant difference compared with the other four investigated regions ( p < 0.001).…”

“…ST10 and ST14 were the most prevalent subtypes of Blastocystis spp. in sheep and goats in Asia, and have been reported in some provinces of China, such as Guangdong Province [ 29 ]. ST10 and ST14 were detected in children in Senegal, suggesting their zoonotic potential and threatening public health [ 33 , 65 ].…”

“…Shanxi Province is located inland of the mid-latitude zone of North China and has a temperate semi-humid and semi-arid continental monsoon climate. Black goats ( Capra hircus ), as an endemic goat breed, are extensively bred in many provinces of China, including Shanxi Province, due to their exceptional meat production performance and favorable reproductive capabilities [ 28 , 29 ]. In China, the highest prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp.…”

“…In China, the highest prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats were reported in Guangdong Province (27.5%, 56/226) and Yunnan Province (41.3%, 375/907), respectively [ 29 , 30 ]. Moreover, MLG was detected in black goats from Yunnan Province [ 31 ].…”