Occurrence and Multi-Locus Analysis of Giardia duodenalis in Coypus (Myocastor coypus) in China

Abstract

Giardia duodenalis is a major gastrointestinal parasite found globally in both humans and animals. This work examined the occurrence of G. duodenalis in coypus (Myocastor coypus) in China. Multi-locus analysis was conducted to evaluate the level of genetic variation and the potential zoonotic role of the isolates. In total, 308 fecal samples were collected from seven farms in China and subjected to PCR screening to reveal G. duodenalis. Notably, G. duodenalis was detected in 38 (12.3%) specimens from assemblages A (n = 2) and B (n = 36). Positive samples were further characterized by PCR and nucleotide sequencing of the triose phosphate isomerase (tpi), beta giardin (bg), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Multi-locus genotyping yielded 10 novel multi-locus genotypes (MLGs) (one MLG and nine MLGs for assemblages A and B, respectively). Based on the generated phylogenetic tree, AI–novel 1 clustered more closely with MLG AI-2. Furthermore, within the assemblage B phylogenetic analysis, the novel assemblage B MLGs were identified as BIV and clustered in the MLG BIV branch. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in coypus in China. The presence of zoonotic genotypes and subtypes of G. duodenalis in coypus suggests that these animals can transmit human giardiasis.

Genotyping and subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis isolates from two wild rodent species in Gansu Province, China

“…Among them, assemblages A and B have a broad host range and commonly found in humans [55]. In fact, some recent studies in China also reported the occurrence of assemblage Ain pet chipmunks, coypus and pet chinchillas, while assemblage Bin bamboo rat, coypus and pet chinchillas [54][55][56][57]. These two assemblages detected in this study, suggesting that these two rodent species can play a role in the zoonotic dissemination of G. duodenalis.…”

“…China: house mouse (3.2%, 1/31); Asian house rat (6.1%, 2/33); brown rat (6.6%, 11/168 and 9.3%, 33/355); pet chipmunks (8.6%, 24/279); bamboo rat (10.8%, 52/480); coypus (12.3%, 38/308); pet chinchillas (27.1%, 38/140) [26,38,[54][55][56][57] (Table 3).…”

“…G. duodenalis assemblages in Himalayan marmots were richer than Alashan ground squirrels. As we known, G. duodenalis infections in Chinese rodents were reported to be caused by assemblage A, B and G in previous studies [26,38,[54][55][56][57].…”

Editorial for the Special Issue: Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis

“…Finally, this special issue also included molecular epidemiological studies directed to assess the occurrence, genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pet dogs and cats [17], livestock [18], and farmed rabbits and rats [19][20][21], mostly in China.…”

“…Some authors have interpreted all this information as evidence in support of considering C. hominis as a zoonotic species [45]. Regarding intensive animal farming, Cui et al [19] investigated the presence, molecular variability and zoonotic potential of G. duodenalis in coypus (n =308), reared in fur farms in six Chinese provinces/autonomous regions. The parasite was detected in all farms investigated at variable infection rates, ranging from 1-29%.…”