PCR-Based Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Farm-Raised and Free-Ranging Geese (Anser anser f. domestica) From Hainan Province of China: Natural Infection Rate and the Species or Genotype Distribution

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are two important zoonotic pathogens that can infect humans and a broad range of animal hosts. However, few studies have been conducted to study infection of the two pathogens in domestic geese until now. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence of natural infection, and the species or genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi in farm-raised and free-ranging geese from Hainan Province of China. In total, 266 fecal samples of geese were collected (142 farm-raised and 124 free-ranging geese). Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi were identified by nested PCR and sequencing analysis of the SSU rRNA and the ITS region of the rRNA genes. A total of 4.1% (12/226) of the geese were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., with 0.7% identified in the farm-raised geese and 7.0% in the free-ranging geese. Two bird-adapted species/genotypes were identified: C. baileyi (n = 1) and Cryptosporidium goose genotype I (n = 11). Meanwhile, E. bieneusi was found in 13.9% (37/266) of geese, with 8.9% identified in the farm-raised and 21.8% in the free-ranging geese. Eleven genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified constituted with six known genotypes: D (n = 13), I (n = 5), CHG2 (n = 1), CHG3 (n = 5), and CHG5 (n = 1), and five novel genotypes named HNE-I to V (one each). All of the genotypes identified in the geese here belonged to zoonotic Groups 1 or 2. This study is the first to demonstrate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi in domestic geese from Hainan, China, and provides baseline data that will be useful for controlling and preventing these pathogens in goose farms. The geese infected with E. bieneusi, but not with Cryptosporidium, should be considered potential public health threats.

Dominance of Zoonotic Pathogen Cryptosporidium Meleagridis in Broiler Chickens in Guangdong, China, Reveals Evidence of Cross-Transmission

“…C. baileyi, originally isolated from commercial broiler chickens [29], has a broad range of avian hosts and is considered the predominant avian Cryptosporidium species. In China, C. baileyi has been reported in a wide variety of birds, including chickens, quails, ostriches, Pekin ducks, domestic pigeons, geese, as well as some pet birds [4,6,9,16,28,30]. Evidence has shown that C. baileyi causes respiratory disease and production loss in chickens, causing reduced weight gain in broilers and decreased egg production in layer chickens [31].…”

Detection of Natural Infection with Cryptosporidiosis in Domestic Poultry from Sulaymaniyah Province/ Iraq

“…55, No. 1 (2024) SHADAN H. ABDULLAH in geese, a lower prevalence of cryptosporidiosis than current finding 4.1% was reported by Zhao et al [38], and a high prevalence of 44.7% was reported by Binkley et al [39].…”

“…In other study, C. parvum was the predominant species and was identified in broilers, laying chickens and turkeys [33]. According to the finding of Zhao et al [38] the main reported species in geese was C. baileyi, also Nakamura and Meireles [14] was identified C. baileyi from ducks and geese, while other studies have specified the role of geese as possible vectors for C. parvum [42].…”

Dominance of the zoonotic pathogen Cryptosporidium meleagridis in broiler chickens in Guangdong, China, reveals evidence of cross-transmission

“…Cryptosporidium baileyi , originally isolated from commercial broiler chickens [ 34 ], has a broad range of avian hosts and is considered the predominant avian Cryptosporidium species. In China, C. baileyi has been reported in a wide variety of birds, including chickens, quails, ostriches, Pekin ducks, domestic pigeons and geese, as well as some pet birds [ 3 , 5 , 8 , 23 , 33 , 35 ]. Recently, C. baileyi was also found in an immunocompetent woman with a benign tumor in Poland [ 22 ].…”