Prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wildlife in Korea: a public health concern

Abstract

Background Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a unicellular microsporidian fungal pathogen that infects a broad range of animal hosts, including wild and domestic animals and humans. The infection burden of this parasite in wild animals in Korea is largely unknown. In this study, the occurrence and genotypes of E. bieneusi were investigated in wild animal populations in Korea. Methods A total of 157 fecal samples (97 from Korean water deer, 48 from raccoon dogs and 12 from other taxa) were collected from wild animals at five wildlife centers in Korea. Genomic DNA was extracted from the samples and screened by nested-PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of rRNA, followed by sequence analysis to determine the genotype(s) of E. bieneusi . Results The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was 45.2% (71/157), with rates of 53.6% (52/97) in Korean water deer, 35.4% (17/48) in raccoon dogs and 16.7% (2/12) in other taxa. We detected seven ITS genotypes, including one known (genotype D) and six new genotypes (Korea-WL1–Korea-WL6). Phylogenetically, all detected genotypes clustered with counterparts belonging to group 1, which includes isolates from different animal hosts and humans, suggesting their zoonotic potential. Conclusions Our survey results indicate that E. bieneusi circulates widely in wild animals in Korea. These findings address the role of wildlife as a potential source of microsporidiosis in domestic animals and humans.

Intestinal microsporidiosis: prevalence and genetic study of Egyptian isolates

“…Polymerase chain reaction is being widely used for species and genotype detection of microsporidia in immune compromised and immune competent individuals [5,7] . Observed variation among microsporidia isolates as a result of different internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene region of rRNA, help in the discrimination between host-adapted and zoonotic genotypes, in addition to geographical distribution of these genotypes [8] . Species differentiation has important therapeutic implications, as Enc.…”

Occurrence, risk factors and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs and cats in Guangzhou, southern China: high genotype diversity and zoonotic concern

“…These genotypes cluster into the following different phylogenetic groups with different host speci cities and public health signi cance: ITS genotypes in group 1 (e.g., D, type IV, EbpC), and sporadic genotypes (e.g., I, J, BEB4, Nig3-Nig5) in group 2, have been identi ed in humans and various other animals, and are of zoonotic concern. However, most of those genotypes in other groups (groups [3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11] are host-speci c, and therefore of minimal public health signi cance [4,5].…”

“…PtEb IX, EbpC, D and Type IV in dogs; I, K and BEB6 in cats; D in wildlife [6][7][8][9][10][11]. However, as intimate companions of humans, dogs and cats have close contact with humans, but only the following Chinese regions have taken part in molecular epidemiological studies and assessments of zoonotic potential in these animals: Heilongjiang [12], Jilin [13], Henan [14], Anhui [15] provinces and Shanghai [16].…”

Occurrence, risk factors and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs and cats in Guangzhou, southern China: high genotype diversity and zoonotic concern

“…In the few molecular epidemiological surveys conducted on E. bieneusiin various animals to date, numerous genotypes have been detected. For example: D, EbpA, Type IV and EbpC in humans; D, CM1, Type IV, Peru11, EbpC and O in non-human primates; I, J, BEB4 and BEB6 in cattle; D, EbpA and EbpC in pigs; D, Type IV, Peru6 and I in rabbits; BEB6 and Peru6 in geese; EbpC, EpbA, horse1-3, and O in horses; PtEb IX, EbpC, D and Type IV in dogs; I, K and BEB6 in cats; D in wildlife [6][7][8][9][10][11]. However, as intimate companions of humans, dogs and cats have close contact with humans, but only the following Chinese regions have taken part in molecular epidemiological studies and assessments of zoonotic potential in these animals: Heilongjiang [12], Jilin [13], Henan [14], Anhui [15] provinces and Shanghai [16].…”