Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Captive Wildlife at Zhengzhou Zoo, China. (November 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Li, Junqiang; Qi, Meng; Chang, Yankai; Wang, Rongjun; Li, Tongyi; Dong, Haiju; Zhang, Longxian
• Is Part Of: Journal of eukaryotic microbiology. Volume 62:Number 6(2015:Nov./Dec.)
• Page Start: 833
• Page End: 839
• Publication Date: 2015-11
• Subjects: Protista -- Periodicals; Eukaryotic cells -- Periodicals; Microbiology -- Periodicals; 579.05
• DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12269
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1066-5234

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jeu12269-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> spp., <italic>Giardia duodenalis</italic>, and <italic>Enterocytozoon bieneusi</italic> are common gastrointestinal protists in humans and animals. Two hundred and three fecal specimens from 80 wildlife species were collected in Zhengzhou Zoo and their genomic DNA extracted. Three intestinal pathogens were characterized with a DNA sequence analysis of different loci. <italic>Cryptosporidium felis</italic>, <italic> C. baileyi</italic>, and avian genotype III were identified in three specimens (1.5%), the manul, red‐crowned crane, and cockatiel, respectively. <italic>Giardia duodenalis</italic> was also found in five specimens (2.5%) firstly: assemblage B in a white‐cheeked gibbon and beaver, and assemblage F in a Chinese leopard and two Siberian tigers, respectively. Thirteen genotypes of <italic>E. bieneusi</italic> (seven previously reported genotypes and six new genotypes) were detected in 32 specimens (15.8%), of which most were reported for the first time. A phylogenetic analysis of <italic>E. bieneusi</italic> showed that five genotypes (three known and two new) clustered in group 1; three known genotypes clustered in group 2; one known genotype clustered in group 4; and the remaining four genotypes clustered in a new group. In conclusion, zoonotic <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> spp., <italic>G. duodenalis</italic>, and <italic>E. bieneusi</italic> are maintained in wildlife and transmitted between them. Zoonotic disease outbreaks of these infectious agents possibly originate in wildlife reservoirs.</p> </abstract>