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Applied and Environmental Microbiology May 2015This study investigated fecal specimens from 489 sheep and 537 cattle in multiple cities in northeast China for the prevalence and genetic characteristics of...
Zoonotic and Potentially Host-Adapted Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes in Sheep and Cattle in Northeast China and an Increasing Concern about the Zoonotic Importance of Previously Considered Ruminant-Adapted Genotypes.
This study investigated fecal specimens from 489 sheep and 537 cattle in multiple cities in northeast China for the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by PCR and sequencing of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer. Sixty-eight sheep specimens (13.9%) and 32 cattle specimens (6.0%) were positive for E. bieneusi. Sequence polymorphisms enabled the identification of 9 known genotypes (BEB4, BEB6, CM7, CS-4, EbpC, G, I, J, and OEB1) and 11 new genotypes (NESH1 to NESH6 and NECA1 to NECA5). The genotypes formed two genetic clusters in a phylogenetic analysis, with CS-4, EbpC, G, NESH1 to NESH3, and NECA1 to NECA5 distributed in zoonotic group 1 and BEB4, BEB6, CM7, EbpI, J, OEB1, and NESH4 to NESH6 distributed in potentially host-adapted group 2. Nearly 70% of cases of E. bieneusi infections in sheep were contributed by human-pathogenic genotypes BEB6, CS-4, and EbpC, and over 80% of those in cattle were by genotypes BEB4, CS-4, EbpC, I, and J. The cooccurrence of genotypes BEB4, CS-4, EbpC, I, and J in domestic ruminants and children in northeast China and the identification of BEB6 and EbpC in humans and water in central China imply the possibility of zoonotic transmission. This study also summarizes E. bieneusi genotypes obtained from ruminants worldwide and displays their host ranges, geographical distributions, and phylogenetic relationships. The data suggest a host range expansion in some group 2 genotypes (notably BEB4, BEB6, I, and J) that were previously considered to be adapted to ruminants. We should be concerned about the increasing zoonotic importance of group 2 genotypes with low host specificity.
Topics: Adaptation, Biological; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; China; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Genotype; Host Specificity; Humans; Microsporidiosis; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Sheep; Sheep Diseases; Zoonoses
PubMed: 25746997
DOI: 10.1128/AEM.00328-15 -
Behavioral and Reproductive Effects of Environmental Enrichment and infection on Adult Zebrafish ().Journal of the American Association For... May 2021Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (EE) for zebrafish, while infection of zebrafish with the common pathogen has negative effects....
Recent studies have shown beneficial effects of environmental enrichment (EE) for zebrafish, while infection of zebrafish with the common pathogen has negative effects. This study investigates the effects of infection and EE in housing and breeding tanks on measures of behavior, growth, and reproduction. Zebrafish were socially housed and were either infected, -infected (PNI) ( = 12 tanks), or SPF for (SPF) ( = 24 tanks). Fish were housed with or without EE, which consisted of placing plastic plants in the tanks; sprigs from plants were placed in half of the breeding tanks for half of breedings, alternating breeding tanks without EE weekly. Behavioral testing included the Novel Tank Diving Test (NTT) and Light/Dark Preference Test (LDT) conducted prior to breeding. At the end of the study, biometric data were collected. Histopathology and molecular analysis for common diseases in fish confirmed that SPF fish remained SPF and that fish from all PNI tanks were infected. PNI fish produced significantly fewer eggs and had lower body weights and lengths than did SPF fish. Fish with EE had longer body lengths, than did fish without EE, and male fish had longer body lengths than female fish. The biometric results and reproductive measures show that SPF fish exhibited better growth and suggest that EE in housing tanks could improve fish growth. The behavioral test results were inconclusive regard- ing whether infection status or EE altered anxiety-like behavior. Our results support other recent studies showing negative effects of infection on zebrafish.
Topics: Animals; Female; Fish Diseases; Male; Microsporidia; Microsporidiosis; Reproduction; Zebrafish
PubMed: 33952385
DOI: 10.30802/AALAS-JAALAS-20-000113 -
BMC Veterinary Research Aug 2019Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been increasingly reported to infect domestic animals and humans, with human infections primarily reported as zoonotic in origin. The aim of...
BACKGROUND
Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been increasingly reported to infect domestic animals and humans, with human infections primarily reported as zoonotic in origin. The aim of the present study was to determine the presence and genotype of E. bieneusi in humans and domestic animals in central Thailand by testing stool samples of 200 apparently healthy humans, 73 goats, 60 cattle and 65 pigs using nested-PCR/ sequence analysis based on the ITS region of SSU rRNA genes.
RESULTS
E. bieneusi tested positive in 2 (1%) of the 200 stool samples collected from humans and 56 (28.3%) of the 198 stool samples collected from domestic animals. The highest prevalence of E. bieneusi was observed in pigs (39/65, 60%), followed by goats (14/73, 19.2%) and cattle (3/60, 5%). Seven novel E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, which were named GoatAYE1-4 and PigAYE1-3 and clustered in either zoonotic Group 1 or Group 2. Moreover, eleven previously described E. bieneusi genotypes were also identified (O, D, H, SX1, CHC8, CHG3, CS-10, SHZC1, LW1, WildBoar5, and EbpC). All novel genotypes exhibited zoonotic potential from a phylogenetic analysis of ITS region.
CONCLUSION
Our data showed that the prevalence of E. bieneusi is low in apparently healthy individuals and higher in pigs than cattle and goats. This study provides baseline data useful for controlling and preventing E. bieneusi infection in farm communities, where pigs and goats appear to be the major reservoir of E. bieneusi. The results of our study support the view that E. bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen that should be considered a potential public health threat.
Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Animals; Cattle; Cattle Diseases; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Enterocytozoon; Genotype; Goat Diseases; Goats; Humans; Infant; Microsporidiosis; Middle Aged; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Thailand; Young Adult; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31462318
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-019-2054-y -
Scientific Reports Apr 2018Human and animal infections of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) have consistently been reported worldwide, garnering public attention; however, the molecular...
Human and animal infections of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) have consistently been reported worldwide, garnering public attention; however, the molecular epidemiology of E. bieneusi in the giant panda remains limited. We surveyed captive giant pandas in China for the presence of E. bieneusi by using PCR and sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealing a 34.5% positive rate, with seven known genotypes (SC02, EpbC, CHB1, SC01, D, F, and Peru 6) and five novel genotypes (SC04, SC05, SC06, SC07, and SC08) identified. We similarly analyzed water samples, and E. bieneusi was detected in two samples, with genotype SC02 identified. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that CHB1 did not cluster with any recognized group, while the remaining genotypes belonged to group 1. The predominance of zoonotic group 1 genotypes indicates a public health threat that giant pandas could spread E. bieneusi to humans. The identification of E. bieneusi in water samples suggests giant pandas could contribute to water contamination. Effective control measures are therefore needed to minimize the contamination of the water and prevent a human microsporidiosis outbreak.
Topics: Animal Diseases; Animals; China; Enterocytozoon; Female; Genotype; Humans; Male; Microsporidiosis; Phylogeny; Ursidae
PubMed: 29700370
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-25096-2 -
BMC Veterinary Research Sep 2022Few studies have molecularly characterized the potential zoonotic protozoa, Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in sheep and goats in...
BACKGROUND
Few studies have molecularly characterized the potential zoonotic protozoa, Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in sheep and goats in China, therefore total 472 fecal samples were collected from eight provinces and infection rates of three protozoa were determined by PCR analysis of corresponding loci. All PCR positive samples were sequenced to identify the genotype.
RESULTS
The overall infection rates for Cryptosporidium, G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi were 1.9% (9/472), 20.6% (97/472), and 44.5% (210/472), respectively. C. xiaoi (n = 5), C. ubiquitum (n = 3), and C. anderson (n = 1) were identified in goats. 97 G. duodenalis strains were successfully detected, and assembly E (n = 96) and assembly A (n = 1) were identified. Two novel G. duodenalis multilocus genotype (MLGs) were identified, with one belonging to subgroup AI and the other to subgroup E5. Nine known genotype (BEB6, CD6, CHC8, CHG3, CHG5, Peru6, CHG1, CHG2, and COS-I) and four new genotype (CHG26, CHG27, CHG28, and CHS18) were identified in E. bieneusi, with CHG3 dominant in this group.
CONCLUSIONS
The present results highlight the role of sheep and goats as reservoir hosts for this three gastrointestinal pathogens. In summary, we provided a platform for more detailed research on genotyping or subtyping intestinal pathogens to better understand their risks and modes of transmission.
Topics: Animals; China; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Enterocytozoon; Genotype; Giardia lamblia; Giardiasis; Goat Diseases; Goats; Microsporidiosis; Sheep; Sheep Diseases
PubMed: 36175887
DOI: 10.1186/s12917-022-03447-6 -
Turkiye Parazitolojii Dergisi Jun 2023In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of in healthy sheep in Van province using molecular techniques and to reveal genotypes of the detected isolates.
OBJECTIVE
In this study, we aimed to determine the prevalence of in healthy sheep in Van province using molecular techniques and to reveal genotypes of the detected isolates.
METHODS
A total of 200 healthy appearance sheep comprise 38 male and 162 female, 32 preweaned, 38 postweaned lamb and 130 adult sheep from several farms in the Van region were included in the study between May and September 2021. Genomic DNA (gDNA) extractions were utilized on fecal samples collected from sheep by commercial kits, and DNA was investigated by Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying ITS rRNA in the gDNA isolates. PCR products of the positive isolates were subjected to sequence analyze for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses of .
RESULTS
DNA was determined in 16 out of 200 examined sheep fecal gDNA samples (8.0%) by Nested PCR. The highest prevalence was determined in preweaned lambs with a rate of 18.8%. This was followed by postweaned lambs and adult sheep with a prevalence of 10.5% and 4.6%, respectively. The prevalence of the infection in males and females was 7.9% and 9.3%, respectively. All the ITS rRNA amplicons from 16 positive isolates were subjected to sequence analyses for genotyping and phylogenetic analyses. Sequence analyses revealed that all the isolates determined in sheep belonged to the BEB6 genotype and clustered in genogroup 2 of with the BEB6 isolates from different hosts in several countries.
CONCLUSION
Molecular epidemiological data on the prevalence of in sheep in Turkey were obtained with this study and the common genotype was determined as BEB6 in the research area. The obtained data contribute to the molecular epidemiology and diversity of in sheep.
Topics: Male; Animals; Sheep; Female; Enterocytozoon; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Microsporidiosis; Sheep Diseases; Genotype; Feces
PubMed: 37249107
DOI: 10.4274/tpd.galenos.2022.76476 -
PLoS Pathogens Jun 2020
Review
Topics: Animal Diseases; Animals; Bees; Microsporidiosis; Nosema; Pandemics
PubMed: 32555676
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008580 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Sep 2019Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent zoonotic parasites associated with a high burden among children. To date only limited molecular...
BACKGROUND
Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent zoonotic parasites associated with a high burden among children. To date only limited molecular epidemiological data on E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. in humans living in Thailand has been published.
METHODS
PCR-based tools were used to detect and characterize E. bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the rRNA gene was used to investigate E. bieneusi, and the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was used to investigate Cryptosporidium spp., and 697 fecal samples from villagers and school children in rural areas in Thailand were analyzed.
RESULTS
The infection rates were 2.15% (15/697) for E. bieneusi and 0.14% (1/697) for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence of E. bieneusi was significantly high in Loei province. Sequence analysis indicated that the Cryptosporidium isolate was C. parvum. Nine E. bieneusi genotypes were identified, EbpC, Peru12, TMH6, TMH3, TMH7, H, D, and two novel genotypes TMLH1 and TMLH2. E. bieneusi prevalence was significantly higher in male participants than in female participants, and in children aged 3-15 years than in participants aged > 15 years.
CONCLUSIONS
The prevalence, genotypes, and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi were found to vary significantly high even in one country. Transmission routes and key animal carriers of E. bieneusi may be associated with differences in hygiene, sanitation, and cultural behaviors. Further molecular studies including longitudinal studies will be required to unveil epidemiological characteristics of these opportunistic intestinal protozoa in all over the countries.
Topics: Adolescent; Animals; Cats; Child; Child, Preschool; Cross-Sectional Studies; Cryptosporidiosis; Cryptosporidium; Enterocytozoon; Feces; Female; Genotype; Humans; Hygiene; Male; Microsporidiosis; Phylogeny; Prevalence; Rural Population; Sanitation; Swine; Thailand; Zoonoses
PubMed: 31521133
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-019-4422-4 -
Parasites & Vectors Mar 2018Microsporidia are a group of eukaryotic intracellular parasites that infect almost all vertebrates and invertebrates. However, there is little information available of...
BACKGROUND
Microsporidia are a group of eukaryotic intracellular parasites that infect almost all vertebrates and invertebrates. However, there is little information available of how microsporidia obtain nutrients and energy from host cells. The purpose of this study was to investigate the energy and material requirements of Nosema bombycis for the invasion procedure through analyzing the global variation of the gene expression, protein abundance, fatty acids level and ATP flux induced by the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm Bombyx mori.
METHODS
A suppression subtractive hybridization (SSH) and quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis were performed to identify the genes upregulated in the midgut of B. mori 48 h following N. bombycis infection. Gene Ontology (GO) and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were used to annotate and summarize the differentially expressed genes, according to the categories 'molecular function', 'cellular component' and 'biological process'. To evaluate the nutrition material and energy costs in B.mori infected by N. bombycis, biochemical analysis was performed to determine the variation of protein abundance, fatty acid levels and ATP flux with or without the microsporidia N. bombycis infection in the midgut of the silkworm B. mori.
RESULTS
A total of 744 clones were obtained, 288 clones were randomly selected for sequencing, and 110 unigenes were generated. Amongst these, 49.21%, 30.16% and 14.29% genes were involved in 19 molecular functions, 19 biological processes and nine cellular components, respectively. A total of 11 oxidative phosphorylation- and eight proton-coupled ATP synthesis-related genes were upregulated. Seven protein degradation-, three fat degradation-related genes were upregulated, and no genes related to the de novo synthesis of amino acids and fatty acids were significantly upregulated. The data from the biochemical analysis showed the contents of total protein and ATP of B. mori midgut tissues decreased significantly, whereas the fatty acid content did not significantly change after four days of N. bombycis infection. Microsporidia N. bombycis infection upregulated the expression level of genes involved in host ATP synthesis, protein and fat degradation, which eventually causes the obvious decline of protein content and ATP synthesis in the host midgut, whereas the fatty acids content did not change significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
This study suggested to some extent that N. bombycis invasion can activate the host protein degradation and accelerate the production of host ATP. Microsporidia of N. bombycis show preference for proteins rather than fatty acids from the host to ensure the material preparation required by their parasitic life-cycle. Requirements of N. bombycis for energy were also mainly dependent on the host ATP production. This study provides a new data that may help our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of obtaining energy and nutrients from the host by the microsporidium N. bombycis.
Topics: Animals; Bombyx; Digestive System; Gene Expression; Gene Expression Profiling; Host-Pathogen Interactions; Microsporidiosis; Nosema
PubMed: 29510742
DOI: 10.1186/s13071-018-2755-2 -
BMC Infectious Diseases Nov 2023Most cases of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis are found in the Southern hemisphere. Our purpose was to investigate the first outbreak of microsporidial... (Observational Study)
Observational Study
BACKGROUND
Most cases of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis are found in the Southern hemisphere. Our purpose was to investigate the first outbreak of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in Japan among healthy, immunocompetent soccer players from the same team during a 1-month period.
CASE PRESENTATION
This study is an observational case series. The medical records were analyzed for five cases with microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis who presented within September 2022. All five cases were males between 28 and 36 years old. These previously healthy individuals belonged to the same football team. Their eyes were considered susceptible to contaminated water or dirt from the turf at game and practice sites. All cases involved unilateral conjunctivitis, with scattered round white lesions that showed positive fluorescein staining in the corneal epithelium. All cases experienced diminution of vision in the affected eye. In three cases, direct smears showed spores of approximately 2-3 μm in diameter. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of corneal scrapes revealed partial amplification of microsporidial 18 S ribosomal RNA gene in four cases. Sequences of PCR products from all four cases showed 100% identity with strains of Vittaforma corneae previously reported from an outbreak in Singapore. All cases were treated with topical therapy, including voriconazole, fluorometholone, and levofloxacin. Four eyes underwent corneal scraping. After treatment, all eyes healed without residual opacities.
CONCLUSIONS
Only a few sporadic case reports of this disease have previously been reported in Japan. We detected V. corneae in our case series, representing what appears to be the first outbreak of microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis in Japan. Exposure to contaminated water or soil, in addition to inadequate sanitary facilities, represents a potential source of infection. Further investigations to clarify the characteristics of microsporidia seem warranted.
Topics: Male; Humans; Adult; Female; Microsporidiosis; Japan; Keratoconjunctivitis; Disease Outbreaks; Water
PubMed: 37915107
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-023-08767-y