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Taghipour A, Ghodsian S, Jabbari M, Rajabpour V, Bahadory S, Malih N, Solhjoo K, Zibaei M, Abdoli A. The global epidemiology of Microsporidia infection in birds: A systematic review and meta-analysis. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024; 34:2180-2196. [PMID: 37266992 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2023.2219988] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to assess the global status and genetic diversity of Microsporidia infection in different birds. An online search was conducted in international databases from 1 January 1990 to 30 June 2022. A total of 34 articles (including 37 datasets) were included for the final meta-analysis. The pooled global prevalence of Microsporidia infection in birds was 14.6% (95% CI: 11.6-18.1). The highest prevalence of Microsporidia was found in wild waterfowl which was 54.5% (28.1-78.6). In terms of detection methods, the pooled prevalence was estimated to be 21.2% (95% CI: 12.1-34.4) and 13.4% (95% CI: 10.3-17.3) for using microscopic and molecular detection methods, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most common pathogen (24/31; 77.42% of the studies) according to PCR-based methods, and genotype D was the highest reported genotype (nine studies). In conclusion, designing strategies for the control and prevention of Microsporidia infection in birds should be recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Taghipour
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Sahar Ghodsian
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Jabbari
- Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Basic Science, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran
| | - Vahid Rajabpour
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Student Research Committee, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Saeed Bahadory
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narges Malih
- Global Health Research Group, University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Palma, Spain
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kavous Solhjoo
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
| | - Mohammad Zibaei
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
- Evidence-Based Phytotherapy and Complementary Medicine Research Center, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
| | - Amir Abdoli
- Zoonoses Research Center, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Jahrom University of Medical Sciences, Jahrom, Iran
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Ávalos G, Caballero-Gómez J, Matas-Méndez P, Castro-Scholten S, Jiménez-Martín D, Köster PC, Santín M, Bailo B, Cano-Terriza D, González-Barrio D, Mateo M, García-Bocanegra I, Dashti A, Nájera F, Carmena D. Detection and genotyping of zoonotic microsporidia in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Med Mycol 2024; 62:myae027. [PMID: 38499442 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myae027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia is a diverse group of obligate, intracellular, and spore-forming parasites that infect a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most frequently reported species in humans. Limited information is available about the presence and molecular diversity of microsporidian species in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. was investigated by molecular methods in wild and captive Iberian lynxes from Spain. Overall, E. bieneusi was detected in 3.2% (8/251) of the animals examined. None of the samples tested were positive for Encephalitozoon spp. Four known (D, EbfelA, PigEBITS7, and Type IV) and a novel (named as LynxSpEb1) E. bieneusi genotypes were identified. All the genotypes found belonged to the zoonotic Group 1 of E. bieneusi. This study provides the first genotyping data of E. bieneusi in Iberian lynx in Spain. Our result indicate that the Iberian lynx does not seem to play a relevant role in the epidemiology of Encephalitozoon spp., and that this endangered felid is likely acting as spillover host rather than a true reservoir of E. bieneusi. Additional studies should be conducted to assess the impact of this parasite in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Ávalos
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Matas-Méndez
- Faculty of Veterinary, Alfonso X El Sabio University (UAX), Villanueva de la Cañada, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sabrina Castro-Scholten
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Débora Jiménez-Martín
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- Women for Africa Foundation, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Cano-Terriza
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Mateo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ignacio García-Bocanegra
- Department of Animal Health, Animal Health and Zoonosis Research Group (GISAZ), UIC Zoonoses and Emerging Diseases (ENZOEM), University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Nájera
- Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, CA, USA
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERINFEC, ISCIII - CIBER Infectious Diseases, Health Institute Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
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Holubová N, Zikmundová V, Kicia M, Zajączkowska Ż, Rajský M, Konečný R, Rost M, Mravcová K, Sak B, Kváč M. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp., Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in feral and captive pigeons in Central Europe. Parasitol Res 2024; 123:158. [PMID: 38460006 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-024-08169-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/11/2024]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most common protistan parasites of vertebrates. The results show that pigeon populations in Central Europe are parasitised by different species of Cryptosporidium and genotypes of microsporidia of the genera Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon. A total of 634 and 306 faecal samples of captive and feral pigeons (Columba livia f. domestica) from 44 locations in the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Poland were analysed for the presence of parasites by microscopy and PCR/sequence analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rDNA), 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of SSU rDNA. Phylogenetic analyses revealed the presence of C. meleagridis, C. baileyi, C. parvum, C. andersoni, C. muris, C. galli and C. ornithophilus, E. hellem genotype 1A and 2B, E. cuniculi genotype I and II and E. bieneusi genotype Peru 6, CHN-F1, D, Peru 8, Type IV, ZY37, E, CHN4, SCF2 and WR4. Captive pigeons were significantly more frequently parasitised with screened parasite than feral pigeons. Cryptosporidium meleagridis IIIa and a new subtype IIIl have been described, the oocysts of which are not infectious to immunodeficient mice, whereas chickens are susceptible. This investigation demonstrates that pigeons can be hosts to numerous species, genotypes and subtypes of the studied parasites. Consequently, they represent a potential source of infection for both livestock and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikola Holubová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Veronika Zikmundová
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Marta Kicia
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Żaneta Zajączkowska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Matúš Rajský
- Research Institute for Animal Production Nitra, National Agricultural and Food Centre, Lužianky, Slovakia
| | - Roman Konečný
- Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Michael Rost
- Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Kristina Mravcová
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture and Technology, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Wang Y, Li XM, Yang X, Wang XY, Wei YJ, Cai Y, Geng HL, Yang XB, Yu HL, Cao H, Jiang J. Global prevalence and risk factors of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Parasite 2024; 31:9. [PMID: 38345479 PMCID: PMC10860563 DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2024007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is one of the most important zoonotic pathogens. In this study, we present a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of human E. bieneusi infection in endemic regions and analyze the various potential risk factors. A total of 75 studies were included. Among 31,644 individuals tested, 2,291 (6.59%) were E. bieneusi-positive. The highest prevalence of E. bieneusi in the male population was 5.50%. The prevalence of E. bieneusi in different age groups was varied, with 10.97% in teenagers. The prevalence of E. bieneusi in asymptomatic patients (6.49%) is significantly lower than that in HIV-infected patients (11.49%), and in patients with diarrheal symptoms (16.45%). Rural areas had a higher rate (7.58%) than urban ones. The prevalence of E. bieneusi in humans was the highest (6.42%) at altitudes <10 m. Moreover, the temperate zone marine climate (13.55%) had the highest prevalence. A total of 69 genotypes of E. bieneusi have been found in humans. This is the first global study regarding E. bieneusi prevalence in humans. Not only people with low immunity (such as the elderly, children, people with HIV, etc.), but also people in Europe in temperate marine climates should exercise caution to prevent infection with E. bieneusi during contact process with animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanchun Wang
- School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224002 Jiangsu Province PR China
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University Shuangyang 130600 Jilin Province PR China
- Department of Technology, Ningbo Sansheng Biotechnology Co., Ltd Ningbo 315000 Zhejiang Province PR China
| | - Xiao-Man Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 Shandong Province PR China
| | - Xing Yang
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, School of Basic Medicine, Dali University Dali 671000 Yunnan Province PR China
| | - Xiang-Yu Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 Shandong Province PR China
| | - Yong-Jie Wei
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 Shandong Province PR China
| | - Yanan Cai
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun 130118 Jilin Province PR China
| | - Hong-Li Geng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural University Qingdao 266109 Shandong Province PR China
| | - Xin-Bo Yang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun 130118 Jilin Province PR China
| | - Hai-Long Yu
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University Changchun 130118 Jilin Province PR China
| | - Hongwei Cao
- School of Pharmacy, Yancheng Teachers University Yancheng 224002 Jiangsu Province PR China
| | - Jing Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech University Shuangyang 130600 Jilin Province PR China
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Galán-Puchades MT, Gosálvez C, Trelis M, Gómez-Samblás M, Solano-Parada J, Osuna A, Sáez-Durán S, Bueno-Marí R, Fuentes MV. Parasite Fauna and Coinfections in Urban Rats Naturally Infected by the Zoonotic Parasite Angiostrongylus cantonensis. Pathogens 2023; 13:28. [PMID: 38251336 PMCID: PMC10819396 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2023] [Revised: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
When the zoonotic parasite of rodents that can cause human neuroangiostrongyliasis, i.e., Angiostrongylus cantonensis, is found in its natural definitive hosts, it is usually reported in isolation, as if the rat lungworm were the only component of its parasite community. In this study, we report the coinfections found in rats naturally infected by A. cantonensis in urban populations of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus in Valencia, Spain. In addition to the rat lungworms, which were found in 14 of the 125 rats studied (a prevalence of 11.20%), 18 other parasite species (intestinal and tissular protists, microsporidia and helminths) were found, some of them with high burdens. Fourteen of these nineteen species found are potential zoonotic parasites, namely Blastocystis, Giardia duodenalis, Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon hellem, Toxoplasma gondii, Brachylaima spp., Hydatigera taeniaeformis s.l. larvae, Hymenolepis nana, Hymenolepis diminuta, Angiostrongylus cantonensis, Calodium hepaticum, Gongylonema neoplasticum and Moniliformis moniliformis. The total predominance of coinfected rats as well as their high parasite loads seem to indicate a trend towards parasite tolerance.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Teresa Galán-Puchades
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
| | - Carla Gosálvez
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
| | - María Trelis
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
| | - Mercedes Gómez-Samblás
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.-S.); (J.S.-P.); (A.O.)
| | - Jennifer Solano-Parada
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.-S.); (J.S.-P.); (A.O.)
| | - Antonio Osuna
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Molecular Parasitology, Institute of Biotechnology, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain; (M.G.-S.); (J.S.-P.); (A.O.)
| | - Sandra Sáez-Durán
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
| | - Rubén Bueno-Marí
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
- Laboratorios Lokímica, Departamento de Investigación y Desarrollo (I+D), Ronda Auguste y Louis Lumière 23, Nave 10, Parque Tecnológico, Paterna, 46980 Valencia, Spain
| | - Marius V. Fuentes
- Parasites & Health Research Group, Department of Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Technology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Valencia, Burjassot, 46100 Valencia, Spain; (C.G.); (M.T.); (S.S.-D.); (R.B.-M.); (M.V.F.)
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Moratal S, Magnet A, Izquierdo F, del Águila C, López-Ramon J, Dea-Ayuela MA. Microsporidia in Commercially Harvested Marine Fish: A Potential Health Risk for Consumers. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2673. [PMID: 37627464 PMCID: PMC10451485 DOI: 10.3390/ani13162673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are widely spread obligate intracellular fungal pathogens from vertebrate and invertebrate organisms, mainly transmitted by contaminated food and water. This study aims to detect the presence of major human-pathogenic microsporidia, i.e., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Encephalitozoon hellem, and Encephalitozoon cuniculi, in the gastrointestinal tract of commercially harvested marine fish from Mediterranean coast of the Comunidad Valenciana, Eastern Spain. A total of 251 fish, 138 farmed fish and 113 wild fish from commercial fishing were tested by SYBR Green real-time PCR, enabling the simultaneous detection of the four targeted species. E. intestinalis/hellem was found in 1.45% of farmed fish and 7.96% of wild fish, while Enterocytozoonidae was detected in 2.90% and 18.58% of farmed and wild fish, respectively. E. cuniculi was not detected in any of the analyzed specimens. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of E. intestinalis/hellem in fish, particularly in marine fish. Although the role of fish in these species' epidemiology remains unknown, this finding points out a potential public health risk linked to fish consumption. Further studies are necessary to characterize these microsporidia in fish hosts better and to elucidate their epidemiological role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha Moratal
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain (J.L.-R.)
| | - Angela Magnet
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Fernando Izquierdo
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Carmen del Águila
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo-CEU, CEU Universities, Urbanización Montepríncipe, 28660 Boadilla del Monte, Spain
| | - Jordi López-Ramon
- Servicio de Análisis, Investigación y Gestión de Animales Silvestres (SAIGAS), Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant lo Blanc, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain (J.L.-R.)
- Wildlife Ecology & Health Group (WE&H), Veterinary Faculty, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), Travessera dels Turons, Bellaterra, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - María Auxiliadora Dea-Ayuela
- Departamento Farmacia, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Ramón y Cajal, Alfara del Patriarca, 46115 Valencia, Spain
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Baz-González E, Abreu-Acosta N, Foronda P. High Prevalence of Microsporidia in the North African Hedgehog ( Atelerix algirus) in the Canary Islands, Spain. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:1756. [PMID: 37889680 PMCID: PMC10251962 DOI: 10.3390/ani13111756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are unicellular eukaryotic obligate intracellular parasites with a wide range of hosts reported worldwide; however, little is known about the epidemiological data on microsporidia infection in animals from the Canary Islands. Since data on microsporidia infection in hedgehog species are scarce, the aim of this study was to analyze the presence and identity of microsporidia in a group of North African hedgehogs (Atelerix algirus) using microscopic and molecular methods. From December 2020 to September 2021, a total of 36 fecal samples were collected from naturally deceased hedgehogs from Tenerife and Gran Canaria. All samples showed spore-compatible structures (100%; 36/36) under microscopic analysis, of which 61.1% (22/36) were amplified via the nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the partial sequence of the 16S rRNA gene, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region, and the partial sequence of the 5.8S rRNA gene. After Sanger sequencing and ITS analysis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in 47.2% (17/36) of the samples, identifying two novel genotypes (AAE1 and AAE2), followed by the detection of an undetermined species in 8.3% (3/36) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I in 5.6% (2/36) of the samples. This study constitutes the first report of microsporidia species in Atelerix algirus worldwide, highlighting the high prevalence of zoonotic species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edgar Baz-González
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
- Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Médicas y Farmacéuticas, Desarrollo y Calidad de Vida, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Néstor Abreu-Acosta
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
- Nertalab S.L.U., 38001 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Pilar Foronda
- Department Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias (IUETSPC), Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico F. Sánchez s/n, 38203 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain;
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Abdullah DA, Alobaidii WA, Alkateb YNM, Ali FF, Ola-Fadunsin SD, Gimba FI. Molecular detection and prevalence of human-pathologic Enterocytozoon bieneusi among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2023; 95:101964. [PMID: 36857999 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2023.101964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 02/24/2023]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi has been classified as an emerging infectious organism (microsporidium) due to the global increase in the number of cases infecting both humans and animals. The goal of this study was to use the polymerase chain reaction method to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with E. bieneusi infection among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq. Faecal samples from a total of six hundred and twenty-eight pet birds belonging to fifteen (15) different species were analyzed by targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the rRNA gene. Of the total number of pet birds sampled, 203 tested positive for the parasite, representing 32.32% (95% CI = 28.75-36.06) of the sampled population. There was a significant difference (p < 0.01) in the prevalence of E. bieneusi infection among the different species of pet birds, with the highest prevalence recorded among Eurasian bullfinches (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) (64.06%; 95% CI = 55.48-72.02), budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) (48.72%; 95% CI = 40.93-56.55), Fischer's lovebirds (Agapornis fischeri) (25.00%; 95% CI = 13.45-40.05), and macaws parrots (Ara ararauna) (25.00%; 95% CI = 1.25-75.77). The order, source, and health status of pet birds were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with the prevalence of E. bieneusi infection among pet birds in Mosul, Iraq. In conclusion, the level of prevalence of E. bieneusi among pet birds may increase the risk of infection for owners of pet birds in Iraq.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donea Abdulrazak Abdullah
- Department of Animal Production Techniques, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq; Center of Technical Research, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Wasan A Alobaidii
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Mosul University, Iraq
| | | | - Fawwaz Fadhil Ali
- Department of Scientific Affairs, Northern Technical University, Mosul, Iraq
| | - Shola David Ola-Fadunsin
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515 Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria.
| | - Fufa Ido Gimba
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
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Microsporidia as a Potential Threat to the Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus). Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12192507. [PMID: 36230249 PMCID: PMC9559491 DOI: 10.3390/ani12192507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary The Iberian lynx, which inhabits the Iberian Peninsula, is one of the most endangered felines in the world. Wild Iberian lynx populations have suffered a constant regression over the past century, with a rapid decline of 90% in the last 20 years. Infectious diseases are one of the most critical threats that cause the population decline of these animals, either in the wild or captivity. Different studies have revealed positive seroprevalence against various pathogens, confirming contact and exposure to bacteria, viruses, and parasites. In this sense, searching for pathogens related to the depopulation of the Iberian lynx is vital for conserving and maintaining this threatened species. The present work confirmed the presence of microsporidia, opportunistic intracellular parasites recently related to fungi, in the lynx environment. Also, different species of microsporidia were determined for the first time in the urine, feces, and tissue samples of Lynx pardinus. Further studies are needed to establish the impact of microsporidia infection on the survival of the Iberian lynx. These studies would contribute to the endurance and conservation of this feline by implementing new prevention strategies. Abstract Lynx pardinus is one of the world’s most endangered felines inhabiting the Iberian Peninsula. The present study was performed to identify the presence of microsporidia due to the mortality increase in lynxes. Samples of urine (n = 124), feces (n = 52), and tissues [spleen (n = 13), brain (n = 9), liver (n = 11), and kidney (n = 10)] from 140 lynxes were studied. The determination of microsporidia was evaluated using Weber’s chromotrope stain and Real Time-PCR. Of the lynxes analyzed, stains showed 10.48% and 50% positivity in urine and feces samples, respectively. PCR confirmed that 7.69% and 65.38% belonged to microsporidia species. The imprints of the tissues showed positive results in the spleen (38.46%), brain (22.22%), and liver (27.27%), but negative results in the kidneys. PCR confirmed positive microsporidia results in 61.53%, 55.55%, 45.45%, and 50%, respectively. Seroprevalence against Encephalitozoon cuniculi was also studied in 138 serum samples with a positivity of 55.8%. For the first time, the results presented different species of microsporidia in the urine, feces, and tissue samples of Lynx pardinus. The high titers of anti-E. cuniculi antibodies in lynx sera confirmed the presence of microsporidia in the lynx environment. New studies are needed to establish the impact of microsporidia infection on the survival of the Iberian lynx.
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Dashti A, Santín M, Köster PC, Bailo B, Ortega S, Imaña E, Habela MÁ, Rivero-Juarez A, Vicente J, Arnal MC, de Luco DF, Morrondo P, Armenteros JA, Balseiro A, Cardona GA, Martínez-Carrasco C, Ortiz JA, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D, González-Barrio D. Zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in free-ranging and farmed wild ungulates in Spain. Med Mycol 2022; 60:6696380. [PMID: 36095135 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myac070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia comprises a diverse group of obligate, intracellular, and spore-forming parasites that infect a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently reported species in humans and other mammals and birds. Data on the epidemiology of E. bieneusi in wildlife is limited. Hence, E. bieneusi was investigated in eight wild ungulate species present in Spain (genera Ammotragus, Capra, Capreolus, Cervus, Dama, Ovis, Rupicapra, and Sus) by molecular methods. Faecal samples were collected from free-ranging (n = 1058) and farmed (n = 324) wild ungulates from five Spanish bioregions. The parasite was detected only in red deer (10.4%, 68/653) and wild boar (0.8%, 3/359). Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections were more common in farmed (19.4%, 63/324) than in wild (1.5%, 5/329) red deer. Eleven genotypes were identified in red deer, eight known (BEB6, BEB17, EbCar2, HLJD-V, MWC_d1, S5, Type IV, and Wildboar3) and three novel (DeerSpEb1, DeerSpEb2, and DeerSpEb3) genotypes. Mixed genotype infections were detected in 15.9% of farmed red deer. Two genotypes were identified in wild boar, a known (Wildboar3) and a novel (WildboarSpEb1) genotypes. All genotypes identified belonged to E. bieneusi zoonotic Groups 1 and 2. This study provides the most comprehensive epidemiological study of E. bieneusi in Spanish ungulates to date, representing the first evidence of the parasite in wild red deer populations worldwide. Spanish wild boars and red deer are reservoir of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi and might play an underestimated role in the transmission of this microsporidian species to humans and other animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Sheila Ortega
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Elena Imaña
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Miguel Ángel Habela
- Department of Animal Health, Veterinary Sciences Faculty, Extremadura University, Caceres, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Joaquin Vicente
- SaBio Group, Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (UCLM-CSIC-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain
| | | | - Maria C Arnal
- Department of Animal Pathology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Zaragoza, Zaragoza, Spain
| | | | - Patrocinio Morrondo
- INVESAGA Group, Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Santiago de Compostela, Lugo, Spain
| | - José A Armenteros
- Council of Development, Territory Planning and the Environment of the Principado de Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Ana Balseiro
- Animal Health Department, Veterinary School, University of León, León, Spain.,Animal Health Department, Mountain Livestock Institute (CSIC-University of León), León, Spain
| | | | - Carlos Martínez-Carrasco
- Animal Health Department, University of Murcia, Regional Campus of International Excellence "Campus Mare Nostrum", Espinardo, Murcia, Spain
| | - José Antonio Ortiz
- Medianilla S.L., Department of Veterinary and Research. Benalup-Casas Viejas, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David González-Barrio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, Spanish National Centre for Microbiology, Health Institute Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
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11
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Encephalitozoon spp. as a potential human pathogen. POSTEP HIG MED DOSW 2022. [DOI: 10.2478/ahem-2022-0005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Encephalitzoon spp. are microsporidia, and intracellular opportunistic pathogens. The hosts of these pathogens include vertebrates, invertebrates, and certain protozoa. In people microsporidia may be opportunistic pathogens for immunocompromised patients (with AIDS or after organ transplantation). Infection with these microorganisms was also described in persons with diarrhea and corneal diseases.
The species causing rare infections in humans, Encephalitozooncuniculi, had previously been described from animal hosts. However, several new microsporidial species, including E. intestinalis and E. hellem, have been discovered in humans, raising the question of their natural origin. Vertebrate animals are now identified as hosts for all three microsporidial species infecting humans, implying a zoonotic nature of these microorganisms. Molecular studies have identified phenotypic and/or genetic variability within these species, indicating that they are not uniform, and have allowed the question of their zoonotic potential to be addressed. The focus of this review is to present the zoonotic potential of E. intestinalis, E. cuniculi, and E. hellem.
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Abstract
Microsporidia are pathogenic organism related to fungi. They cause infections in a wide variety of mammals as well as in avian, amphibian, and reptilian hosts. Many microsporidia species play an important role in the development of serious diseases that have significant implications in human and veterinary medicine. While microsporidia were originally considered to be opportunistic pathogens in humans, it is now understood that infections also occur in immune competent humans. Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon intestinalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are primarily mammalian pathogens. However, many other species of microsporidia that have some other primary host that is not a mammal have been reported to cause sporadic mammalian infections. Experimental models and observations in natural infections have demonstrated that microsporidia can cause a latent infection in mammalian hosts. This chapter reviews the published studies on mammalian microsporidiosis and the data on chronic infections due to these enigmatic pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic.
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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13
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Han B, Takvorian PM, Weiss LM. The Function and Structure of the Microsporidia Polar Tube. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 114:179-213. [PMID: 35544004 PMCID: PMC10037675 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93306-7_8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens that were initially identified about 160 years ago. Current phylogenetic analysis suggests that they are grouped with Cryptomycota as a basal branch or sister group to the fungi. Microsporidia are found worldwide and can infect a wide range of animals from invertebrates to vertebrates, including humans. They are responsible for a variety of diseases once thought to be restricted to immunocompromised patients but also occur in immunocompetent individuals. The small oval spore containing a coiled polar filament, which is part of the extrusion and invasion apparatus that transfers the infective sporoplasm to a new host, is a defining characteristic of all microsporidia. When the spore becomes activated, the polar filament uncoils and undergoes a rapid transition into a hollow tube that will transport the sporoplasm into a new cell. The polar tube has the ability to increase its diameter from approximately 100 nm to over 600 nm to accommodate the passage of an intact sporoplasm and penetrate the plasmalemma of the new host cell. During this process, various polar tube proteins appear to be involved in polar tube attachment to host cell and can interact with host proteins. These various interactions act to promote host cell infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Han
- Department of Pathogenic Biology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
| | - Peter M Takvorian
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, USA
| | - Louis M Weiss
- Department of Pathology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA.
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14
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Koehler AV, Zhang Y, Gasser RB. A Perspective on the Molecular Identification, Classification, and Epidemiology of Enterocytozoon bieneusi of Animals. EXPERIENTIA SUPPLEMENTUM (2012) 2022; 114:389-415. [PMID: 35544010 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-93306-7_14] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The microsporidian Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular pathogen that causes enteric disease (microsporidiosis) in humans and has been recorded in a wide range of animal species worldwide. The transmission of E. bieneusi is direct and likely occurs from person to person and from animal to person via the ingestion of spores in water, food, or the environment. The identification of E. bieneusi is usually accomplished by molecular means, typically using the sequence of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Currently, ~820 distinct genotypes of E. bieneusi have been recorded in at least 210 species of vertebrates (mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians) or invertebrates (insects and mussels) in more than 50 countries. In this chapter, we provide a perspective on (1) clinical aspects of human microsporidiosis; (2) the genome and DNA markers for E. bieneusi as well as molecular methods for the specific and genotypic identification of E. bieneusi; (3) epidemiological aspects of E. bieneusi of animals and humans, with an emphasis on the genotypes proposed to be zoonotic, human-specific, and animal-specific; and (4) future research directions to underpin expanded molecular studies to better understand E. bieneusi and microsporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
- Shanghai Veterinary Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai, China
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Ebani VV, Guardone L, Bertelloni F, Perrucci S, Poli A, Mancianti F. Survey on the Presence of Bacterial and Parasitic Zoonotic Agents in the Feces of Wild Birds. Vet Sci 2021; 8:171. [PMID: 34564565 PMCID: PMC8472958 DOI: 10.3390/vetsci8090171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Wild avifauna may act as fecal source of bacterial and parasitic pathogens for other birds and mammals. Most of these pathogens have a relevant impact on human and livestock health which may cause severe disease and economic loss. In the present study, the fecal samples collected from 121 wild birds belonging to 15 species of the genera Anas, Tadorna, Fulica, Arddea, Larus, Falco, Athene, Accipiter, and Columba were submitted to bacteriological and molecular analyses to detect Brucella spp., Coxiella burnetii, Mycobacterium spp., Salmonella spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and microsporidia. Four (3.3%) animals were positive for one pathogen: one Anas penelope for C. burnetii, one Larus michahellis for S. enterica serovar Coeln, and two Columba livia for Encephalitozoon hellem. Although the prevalence rates found in the present survey were quite low, the obtained results confirm that wild birds would be the a potential fecal source of bacterial and parasitic zoonotic pathogens which sometimes can also represent a severe threat for farm animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Virginia Ebani
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
- Centre for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via del Borghetto 80, 56124 Pisa, Italy
| | - Lisa Guardone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Fabrizio Bertelloni
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Stefania Perrucci
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Alessandro Poli
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
| | - Francesca Mancianti
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (L.G.); (F.B.); (S.P.); (A.P.); (F.M.)
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Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular pathogens identified ∼150 years ago as the cause of pébrine, an economically important infection in silkworms. There are about 220 genera and 1,700 species of microsporidia, which are classified based on their ultrastructural features, developmental cycle, host-parasite relationship, and molecular analysis. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that microsporidia are related to the fungi, being grouped with the Cryptomycota as a basal branch or sister group to the fungi. Microsporidia can be transmitted by food and water and are likely zoonotic, as they parasitize a wide range of invertebrate and vertebrate hosts. Infection in humans occurs in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient hosts, e.g., in patients with organ transplantation, patients with advanced human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, and patients receiving immune modulatory therapy such as anti-tumor necrosis factor alpha antibody. Clusters of infections due to latent infection in transplanted organs have also been demonstrated. Gastrointestinal infection is the most common manifestation; however, microsporidia can infect virtually any organ system, and infection has resulted in keratitis, myositis, cholecystitis, sinusitis, and encephalitis. Both albendazole and fumagillin have efficacy for the treatment of various species of microsporidia; however, albendazole has limited efficacy for the treatment of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. In addition, immune restoration can lead to resolution of infection. While the prevalence rate of microsporidiosis in patients with AIDS has fallen in the United States, due to the widespread use of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), infection continues to occur throughout the world and is still seen in the United States in the setting of cART if a low CD4 count persists.
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17
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Ruan Y, Xu X, He Q, Li L, Guo J, Bao J, Pan G, Li T, Zhou Z. The largest meta-analysis on the global prevalence of microsporidia in mammals, avian and water provides insights into the epidemic features of these ubiquitous pathogens. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:186. [PMID: 33794979 PMCID: PMC8017775 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04700-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that can infect nearly all invertebrates and vertebrates, posing a threat to public health and causing large economic losses to animal industries such as those of honeybees, silkworms and shrimp. However, the global epidemiology of these pathogens is far from illuminated. METHODS Publications on microsporidian infections were obtained from PubMed, Science Direct and Web of Science and filtered according to the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale. Infection data about pathogens, hosts, geography and sampling dates were manually retrieved from the publications and screened for high quality. Prevalence rates and risk factors for different pathogens and hosts were analyzed by conducting a meta-analysis. The geographic distribution and seasonal prevalence of microsporidian infections were drawn and summarized according to sampling locations and date, respectively. RESULTS Altogether, 287 out of 4129 publications up to 31 January 2020 were obtained and met the requirements, from which 385 epidemiological data records were retrieved and effective. The overall prevalence rates in humans, pigs, dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, nonhuman primates and fowl were 10.2% [2429/30,354; 95% confidence interval (CI) 9.2-11.2%], 39.3% (2709/5105; 95% CI 28.5-50.1%), 8.8% (228/2890; 95% CI 5.1-10.1%), 8.1% (112/1226; 95% CI 5.5-10.8%), 16.6% (2216/12,175; 95% CI 13.5-19.8%), 24.9% (1142/5967; 95% CI 18.6-31.1%), 18.5% (1388/7009; 95% CI 13.1-23.8%) and 7.8% (725/9243; 95% CI 6.4-9.2%), respectively. The higher prevalence in pigs suggests that routine detection of microsporidia in animals should be given more attention, considering their potential roles in zoonotic disease. The highest rate was detected in water, 58.5% (869/1351; 95% CI 41.6-75.5%), indicating that water is an important source of infections. Univariate regression analysis showed that CD4+ T cell counts and the living environment are significant risk factors for humans and nonhuman primates, respectively. Geographically, microsporidia have been widely found in 92 countries, among which Northern Europe and South Africa have the highest prevalence. In terms of seasonality, the most prevalent taxa, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon, display different prevalence trends, but no significant difference between seasons was observed. In addition to having a high prevalence, microsporidia are extremely divergent because 728 genotypes have been identified in 7 species. Although less investigated, microsporidia coinfections are more common with human immunodeficiency virus and Cryptosporidium than with other pathogens. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the largest-scale meta-analysis to date on microsporidia prevalence in mammals, birds and water worldwide. The results suggest that microsporidia are highly divergent, widespread and prevalent in some animals and water and should be further investigated to better understand their epidemic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingfei Ruan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Xiaofei Xu
- College of Computer and Information Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Qiang He
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Li Li
- College of Computer and Information Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Junrui Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Jialing Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Guoqing Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Tian Li
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
| | - Zeyang Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Silkworm Genome Biology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Microsporidia Infection and Control, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715 China
- College of Life Science, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, 400047 China
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Pekmezci D, Yetismis G, Colak ZN, Duzlu O, Ozkilic GN, Inci A, Pekmezci GZ, Yildirim A. First report and molecular prevalence of potential zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Turkish tumbler pigeons (Columba livia domestica). Med Mycol 2021; 59:864-868. [PMID: 33724370 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myab013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
A total of 250 droppings of tumbler pigeons (Columba livia domestica, Columbidae) were collected individually from different breeders in Turkey, to investigate the presence and genotyping of microsporidian species by nested PCR and to reveal their zoonotic potential. In the present study, Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the only microsporidian species identified in 35 pigeons with an overall molecular prevalence of 14.0%. Only one known genotype zoonotic Peru6 was identified in all positive samples according to the sequence analyses of the internal transcribed spacer region of ribosomal DNA of E. bieneusi. This study represents the first report of E. bieneusi in pigeons in Turkey. Our study also confirms the competence of breeding pigeons as hosts for the zoonotic Peru6 genotype, corroborating its potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination. LAY SUMMARY Microsporidia are spore-producing fungi defined as emerging opportunistic pathogens of humans. The occurrence of microsporidia in animals could be risky for human public health. Home kept breeding pigeons pose a high risk for transmission of the microsporidians to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Pekmezci
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, 55200 Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Gamze Yetismis
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Nurselin Colak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, 55200 Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Onder Duzlu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gamze Nur Ozkilic
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, 55200 Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Inci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gokmen Zafer Pekmezci
- Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, 55200 Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Alparslan Yildirim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, 38039 Kayseri, Turkey
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Dong H, Cheng R, Li X, Li J, Chen Y, Ban C, Zhang X, Liu F, Zhang L. Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Giardia duodenalis in Captive Pet Birds in Henan Province, Central China. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2021; 68:e12839. [PMID: 33448088 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Giardia duodenalis are common enteric pathogens that are capable of infecting humans and animals. Total of 1,005 fecal samples from captive pet birds were collected from seven locations in Henan Province, China. The results demonstrated that 9.9% (99/1,005) of the captive birds were infected with one of these three pathogens. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was the most prevalent species among the birds (45/1,005, 4.5%) followed by G. duodenalis (33/1,005, 3.3%) and Cryptosporidium spp. (21/1,005, 2.1%). Five Cryptosporidium species were identified, namely, C. baileyi (10), C. galli (5), C. meleagridis (4), C. andersoni (1), and C. parvum (1). Two known E. bieneusi genotypes were identified: Peru 6 (44) was identified in pigeons (34) and European turtle doves (10); whereas, the genotype PtEb I (1) was only identified in a pigeon. Only G. duodenalis assemblage E (33) was identified in some pet birds. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first to undertake the molecular identification of G. duodenalis in birds in China. The identification of potentially zoonotic species/genotypes of the pathogens suggests that exposure to the excreta of these birds, either directly or via food and water, may pose a threat to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiju Dong
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Ru Cheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xinmiao Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China.,Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, Henan University of Chinese Medicine, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Yuancai Chen
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Chaoping Ban
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Xiangqian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Fang Liu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450000, China
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Zhang Y, Koehler AV, Wang T, Gasser RB. Enterocytozoon bieneusi of animals-With an 'Australian twist'. ADVANCES IN PARASITOLOGY 2021; 111:1-73. [PMID: 33482973 DOI: 10.1016/bs.apar.2020.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian microorganism that causes intestinal disease in animals including humans. E. bieneusi is an obligate intracellular pathogen, typically causing severe or chronic diarrhoea, malabsorption and/or wasting. Currently, E. bieneusi is recognised as a fungus, although its exact classification remains contentious. The transmission of E. bieneusi can occur from person to person and/or animals to people. Transmission is usually via the faecal-oral route through E. bieneusi spore-contaminated water, environment or food, or direct contact with infected individuals. Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes are usually identified and classified by PCR-based sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. To date, ~600 distinct genotypes of E. bieneusi have been recorded in ~170 species of animals, including various orders of mammals and reptiles as well as insects in >40 countries. Moreover, E. bieneusi has also been found in recreational water, irrigation water, and treated raw- and waste-waters. Although many studies have been conducted on the epidemiology of E. bieneusi, prevalence surveys of animals and humans are scant in some countries, such as Australia, and transmission routes of individual genotypes and related risk factors are poorly understood. This article/chapter reviews aspects of the taxonomy, biology and epidemiology of E. bieneusi; the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of microsporidiosis; critically appraises the naming system for E. bieneusi genotypes as well as the phylogenetic relationships of these genotypes; provides new insights into the prevalence and genetic composition of E. bieneusi populations in animals in parts of Australia using molecular epidemiological tools; and proposes some areas for future research in the E. bieneusi/microsporidiosis field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Anson V Koehler
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
| | - Tao Wang
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
| | - Robin B Gasser
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.
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Altamimi MK, Al-Zubaidi MTS. High Prevalence of Cryptosporidium meleagridis in Domestic Pigeons (Columba livia domestica) Raises a Prospect of Zoonotic Transmission in Babylon Province, Iraq. THE IRAQI JOURNAL OF VETERINARY MEDICINE 2020. [DOI: 10.30539/ijvm.v44i(e0).1012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is one of the most common protozoan’s parasites with remarkable infectivity of a wide range of animals, including mammals and birds. Domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) act as a potential reservoir for several species of Cryptosporidium because they live in close proximity to humans. This study was conducted to assess the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in domestic pigeons in Iraq. A total of one hundred samples obtained from feces of domestic pigeons in Babylon province were included. After being exposed to microbial examination, all fecal samples were subsequently screened by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the possible recognition of Cryptosporidium species. Microscopy tests detected only 14/100 (14%) of infection with Cryptosporidium, while molecular tests detected 21/100 (21%) of the same targeted parasite. Sequencing experiments showed a high prevalence of C. meleagridis with 13/21 (61.90%), followed by C. baileyi with 7/21 (33.33%), while only one infection was detected with C. hominis (1/21) (4.76%). No co-infection with mixed Cryptosporidium spp. was observed, and sex factor was not found to affect the infection rate. In conclusion, this study informed a high prevalence of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons than both C. baileyi and C. hominis, respectively, signifying a higher zoonotic potential of C. meleagridis between domestic pigeons and their handlers. This finding may raise more questions with regard to the increasing infectivity of C. meleagridis in human. This is the first important screening study in Iraq that uses molecular methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium in domesticated pigeons.
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Ecological and public health significance of Enterocytozoon bieneusi. One Health 2020; 12:100209. [PMID: 33426263 PMCID: PMC7779778 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2020.100209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a fungus-like protist parasite, causes symptomatic and asymptomatic intestinal infections in terrestrial animals and is also abundant in the environment. This parasite has been isolated from a variety of host types including humans, livestock, companion animals, birds, and wildlife, as well as the natural and urban environments including drinking source water, coastal water, recreational water, wastewater, vegetables in retail markets, and raw milk on farms. E. bieneusi exhibits high genetic diversity among host species and environmental sources and at least 500 genotypes have been identified thus far. Since its discovery in AIDS patients in 1985, scientists across the world have worked to demonstrate the natural history and public health potential of this pathogen. Here we review molecular typing studies on E. bieneusi and summarize relevant data to identify the potential sources of human and nonhuman infections and environmental contamination. This review also discusses the possible transmission routes of E. bieneusi and the associated risk factors, and advocates the importance of the One Health approach to tackle E. bieneusi infections.
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23
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Pekmezci D, Yetismis G, Esin C, Duzlu O, Colak ZN, Inci A, Pekmezci GZ, Yildirim A. Occurrence and molecular identification of zoonotic microsporidia in pet budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in Turkey. Med Mycol 2020; 59:myaa088. [PMID: 33070189 DOI: 10.1093/mmy/myaa088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2020] [Revised: 09/22/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are well-known microsporidian pathogens, recently classified as fungi, infecting humans and reptiles, mammals, and birds. Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates) are the most preferred captive pet birds in the households. Prevalence and molecular data on microsporidian species in budgerigars are scarce worldwide. The aim of the present study was to investigate the occurrence and genotypes of Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi in budgerigars, and to reveal their zoonotic potential. A total of 143 fecal samples were collected from owned healthy budgerigars in Turkey. Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi were examined by nested PCR targeting the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and sequenced for identifying Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi. The overall prevalence of E. hellem and E. bieneusi was 14.7% (21/143) and 3.5% (5/143), respectively. Two genotypes of E. hellem were identified, including one known 1A (n = 18) and a novel TURK1B (n = 3). In addition, we determined two E. bieneusi genotypes, including one known N (n = 2) and a novel TURKM1 (n = 3). E. hellem 1A and novel TURK1B clustered as a sister taxon, and genotype N and novel TURKM1 genotypes fall into group 2 of E. bieneusi in the phylogenetic tree. Novel genotypes of E. hellem and E. bieneusi were described for the first time in the avian host. Moreover, E. bieneusi genotype N was first detected in avian hosts in the present study. This study contributes to the current knowledge on the molecular epidemiology and transmission dynamics of E. hellem and E. bieneusi. LAY SUMMARY Spore producing microsporidia are ubiquitous, obligate, and intracellular fungus defined as emerging opportunistic pathogens of humans, livestock, companion animals, wild mammals, birds, and water worldwide. The occurrence of microsporidia in animals could be risky for human public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Didem Pekmezci
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Gamze Yetismis
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Cagatay Esin
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Onder Duzlu
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Zeynep Nurselin Colak
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Abdullah Inci
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey
| | - Gokmen Zafer Pekmezci
- Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ondokuz Mayis, Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey
| | - Alparslan Yildirim
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Erciyes, Kayseri, Turkey
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Bahrami F, Haghighi A, Zamini G, Khademerfan M. Zoonotic Transmission of Cryptosporidium and Microsporidia in Individuals of the Kurdistan Province, West of Iran. J Parasitol 2020; 106:464-470. [DOI: 10.1645/18-99] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Fares Bahrami
- Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Ali Haghighi
- Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Ghasem Zamini
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
| | - Mohammadbagher Khademerfan
- Department of Parasitology and Mycology, Faculty of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran
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Dashti A, Rivero-Juarez A, Santín M, López-López P, Caballero-Gómez J, Frías-Casas M, Köster PC, Bailo B, Calero-Bernal R, Briz V, Carmena D. Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Microsporidia): Identification of novel genotypes and evidence of transmission between sympatric wild boars (Sus scrofa ferus) and Iberian pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus) in Southern Spain. Transbound Emerg Dis 2020; 67:2869-2880. [PMID: 32500974 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.13658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/28/2020] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Microsporidia is a phylum of obligate emergent intracellular protist-like fungi pathogens that infect a broad range of hosts including vertebrates and invertebrates. Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most common cause of microsporidiosis in humans, affecting primarily immunosuppressed patients but also reported in immunocompetent individuals. Epidemiological information on the presence and molecular diversity of E. bieneusi in livestock and wildlife in Spain is limited. Therefore, the occurrence of this microsporidia was investigated in sympatric extensively reared Iberian pigs (n = 186) and free ranging wild boars (n = 142) in the province of Córdoba, Southern Spain. Forty-two Iberian pigs (22.6%) and three wild boars (2.1%) were found E. bieneusi positive by PCR. In Iberian pigs, occurrence of E. bieneusi was significantly higher in sows than in fattening pigs (31.6% vs. 11.4%; p = .001). Five genotypes were identified in Iberian pigs, four previously reported (EbpA, PigEb4, O, Pig HN-II) and a novel genotype (named PigSpEb1), while only two genotypes were identified in wild boars, EbpA and novel genotype PigSpEb1. All five genotypes identified belong to Group 1 suggesting zoonotic potential. This study constitutes the first report on the occurrence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in Iberian pigs and wild boars. The identification of two genotypes with zoonotic potential in sympatric Iberian pigs and wild boars suggests that E. bieneusi can be potentially transmitted between those two hosts, but also implies that they may act as natural sources of microsporidia infection to other hosts including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Rivero-Juarez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Pedro López-López
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Javier Caballero-Gómez
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Mario Frías-Casas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Maimonides Institute for Biomedical Research (IMIBIC), University Hospital Reina Sofía, University of Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Verónica Briz
- Viral Hepatitis Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Madrid, Spain
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Dashti A, Santín M, Cano L, de Lucio A, Bailo B, de Mingo MH, Köster PC, Fernández-Basterra JA, Aramburu-Aguirre J, López-Molina N, Fernández-Crespo JC, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Occurrence and genetic diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Microsporidia) in owned and sheltered dogs and cats in Northern Spain. Parasitol Res 2019; 118:2979-2987. [PMID: 31435764 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-019-06428-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an obligate intracellular protist-like fungi parasite that infects numerous mammal hosts including humans, raising concerns of zoonotic transmission. There is little information available on the presence and diversity of E. bieneusi genotypes in companion animals. Here, we determined the occurrence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in domestic dogs and cats from Northern Spain. A total of 336 genomic DNA samples extracted from canine (n = 237) and feline (n = 99) faecal specimens were retrospectively investigated. The presence of E. bieneusi was assessed by PCR of the rRNA internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. The parasite was detected in 3.0% (3/99) and 0.8% (2/237) of the cats and dogs examined, respectively. All three feline positive samples were from stray cats living in an urban setting, whereas the two canine samples were from owned dogs living in rural areas. Sequence analysis revealed the presence of two genotypes in dogs, BEB6 and PtEb IX, and two genotypes in cats, D and Peru11. The identification of Peru11 in a cat and BEB6 in a dog constitutes the first report of those genotypes in such hosts as well as first report in Spain. This is also the first evidence of genotype D in cats and PtEb IX in dogs in Spain. Three out of the four genotypes, BEB6, D and Peru11, have been previously reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic indicating that dogs and cats need to be considered potential sources of human infection and environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Dashti
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Mónica Santín
- Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Lourdes Cano
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Aida de Lucio
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Begoña Bailo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marta Hernández de Mingo
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pamela C Köster
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - José A Fernández-Basterra
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Juan Aramburu-Aguirre
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Nuria López-Molina
- Department of Social Policy and Public Health, City Council of Vitoria-Gasteiz, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Juan C Fernández-Crespo
- Sub-direction of Public Health of Álava, Department of Health, Basque Government, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Rafael Calero-Bernal
- SALUVET group, Department of Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary, Complutense University of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - David Carmena
- Parasitology Reference and Research Laboratory, National Centre for Microbiology, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.
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New genotypes and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pet birds in Southwestern China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:164-169. [PMID: 31667078 PMCID: PMC6811997 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2019] [Revised: 08/03/2019] [Accepted: 08/03/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a unicellular enteric microsporidian parasite, can infect humans and a wide range of animals throughout the world. Although E. bieneusi has been identified in many animals, there is no information regarding the genotypes of E. bieneusi in pet birds in China. Birds are important sources of emerging infectious diseases that affect humans, and immunosuppressed individuals can be exposed to potential zoonotic agents shed by birds. The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence and genotypic diversity of E. bieneusi in pet birds, as well as assessed its zoonotic potential. A total of 387 fecal samples were collected from Psittaciformes (n = 295), Passeriformes (n = 67), and Galliformes (n = 16) from four pet markets in Sichuan province, Southwestern China. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in pet birds was 25.1% based on nested polymerase chain reaction analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene (Psittaciformes, 21.7%; Passeriformes, 37.3%; Galliformes, 50.0%). Eight genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including five known genotypes (D, SC02, BEB6, CHB1, and MJ5) and three novel genotypes (SCB-I, SCB-II, and SCB-III). In phylogenetic analysis, genotypes D and SC02 and one novel genotype SCB-II were clustered within group 1, genotype BEB6 was classified within group 2, and the remaining genotypes (CHB1, MJ5, SCB-I, and SCB-III) clustered with group 10. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. bieneusi infection in pet birds in China. Genotypes D, SC02, and BEB6 that have been previously identified in humans, were found in pet birds in this study, suggesting that these pet birds can be a potential source of human microsporidiosis in China. This is the first to report the prevalence of E. bieneusi in pet birds in China. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was 25.1% (97/387) based on PCR analysis of the ITS region of the ribosomal RNA gene. Five known genotypes (D, SC02, BEB6, CHB1, and MJ5) and three novel genotypes (SCB-I, SCB-II, and SCB-III) were identified. This study will enrich the epidemiological data of E. bieneusi infection in China.
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Robertson LJ, Clark CG, Debenham JJ, Dubey J, Kváč M, Li J, Ponce-Gordo F, Ryan U, Schares G, Su C, Tsaousis AD. Are molecular tools clarifying or confusing our understanding of the public health threat from zoonotic enteric protozoa in wildlife? Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2019; 9:323-341. [PMID: 31338293 PMCID: PMC6626983 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.01.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 01/31/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Emerging infectious diseases are frequently zoonotic, often originating in wildlife, but enteric protozoa are considered relatively minor contributors. Opinions regarding whether pathogenic enteric protozoa may be transmitted between wildlife and humans have been shaped by our investigation tools, and have led to oscillations regarding whether particular species are zoonotic or have host-adapted life cycles. When the only approach for identifying enteric protozoa was morphology, it was assumed that many enteric protozoa colonized multiple hosts and were probably zoonotic. When molecular tools revealed genetic differences in morphologically identical species colonizing humans and other animals, host specificity seemed more likely. Parasites from animals found to be genetically identical - at the few genes investigated - to morphologically indistinguishable parasites from human hosts, were described as having zoonotic potential. More discriminatory molecular tools have now sub-divided some protozoa again. Meanwhile, some infection events indicate that, circumstances permitting, some "host-specific" protozoa, can actually infect various hosts. These repeated changes in our understanding are linked intrinsically to the investigative tools available. Here we review how molecular tools have assisted, or sometimes confused, our understanding of the public health threat from nine enteric protozoa and example wildlife hosts (Balantoides coli - wild boar; Blastocystis sp. - wild rodents; Cryptosporidium spp. - wild fish; Encephalitozoon spp. - wild birds; Entamoeba spp. - non-human primates; Enterocytozoon bieneusi - wild cervids; Giardia duodenalis - red foxes; Sarcocystis nesbitti - snakes; Toxoplasma gondii - bobcats). Molecular tools have provided evidence that some enteric protozoa in wildlife may infect humans, but due to limited discriminatory power, often only the zoonotic potential of the parasite is indicated. Molecular analyses, which should be as discriminatory as possible, are one, but not the only, component of the toolbox for investigating potential public health impacts from pathogenic enteric protozoa in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy J. Robertson
- Parasitology Laboratory, Department of Food Safety and Infection Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - C. Graham Clark
- Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, United Kingdom
| | - John J. Debenham
- Department of Companion Animal Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, PO Box 369 Sentrum, 0102, Oslo, Norway
| | - J.P. Dubey
- United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, MD, 20705-2350, USA
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05, Czech Republic
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450046, China
| | - Francisco Ponce-Gordo
- Department of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Una Ryan
- Centre for Sustainable Aquatic Ecosystems, College of Science, Health, Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Gereon Schares
- Institute of Epidemiology, Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Federal Research Institute for Animal Health, 17493, Greifswald, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Chunlei Su
- Department of Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN, 37996-1937, USA
| | - Anastasios D. Tsaousis
- Laboratory of Molecular & Evolutionary Parasitology, RAPID Group, School of Biosciences, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK
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Isolation of Encephalitozoon intestinalis from crows living in urban parks of Tehran, Iran: an investigation with zoonotic aspect. J Parasit Dis 2018; 42:494-499. [PMID: 30538345 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-018-1024-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/03/2018] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are eukaryotic, intracellular obligate parasites that widely involve many organisms including insects, fish, birds, and mammals. One of the genera of Microsporidia is Encephalitozoon, which contains several opportunistic pathogens. Since Encephalitozoon spp. are zoonotic and opportunistic pathogens, it is important to find their reservoir hosts; hence, the current study aimed at isolating and identifying Encephalitozoon spp. in the crows by the light microscopy observations and molecular methods. For this purpose, 36 samples were collected by the dropping method; however, due to the low volume of samples, the total samples were collected in a sterile stool container and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed to detect Encephalitozoon spp. Accordingly, 300-bp bands, specific to Encephalitozoon spp., were observed and by sequencing E. intestinalis was identified. Crows can be considered as the hosts of E. intestinalis.
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Chen JS, Hsu BM, Tsai HC, Chen YP, Huang TY, Li KY, Ji DD, Lee HS. Molecular surveillance of Vittaforma-like microsporidia by a small-volume procedure in drinking water source in Taiwan: evidence for diverse and emergent pathogens. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2018; 25:18823-18837. [PMID: 29713979 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-2081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2017] [Accepted: 04/19/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Vittaforma corneae belongs to microsporidia, which include over 1500 species of opportunistic obligate intracellular fungi infecting almost all known animal taxa. Although outbreaks of ocular infections caused by waterborne V. corneae have been reported in recent years, little is known about the occurrence of this pathogen in aquatic environments. In this study, 50 water samples from rivers and reservoirs around Taiwan in two seasons were analyzed to explore the presence of this pathogen in natural aquatic environments. A high detection rate of Vittaforma-like amplicons (94%; 47/50) was observed in the water samples when examined by nested PCR with primer pairs specific to the small ribosomal subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. After electrophoresis, many lanes showed multiband patterns with expected molecular weights. After confirmation by DNA sequencing and by sequence alignment in the NCBI database, we identified a variety of Vittaforma-like microsporidia with weak sequence similarity, with approximately 85% identity to V. corneae, thus indicating high diversity of microsporidia in aquatic environments. Phylogenetic analysis showed clear-cut microsporidian clade classification and indicated that the most Vittaforma-like microsporidia in this study belong to clade IV and cluster into four major groups. The first group is similar to the microsporidia associated with ocular microsporidiosis. The second group is associated with the diarrheal pathogens, whereas the third and fourth groups are a novel group and a zoonotic group, respectively. This study provides abundant sequencing information, which will be useful for future molecular biological studies on microsporidia. Because microsporidia are important pathogens of animals and humans, it is urgently necessary to determine via a survey whether there are species with potential threats that have not yet been revealed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jung-Sheng Chen
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161, Section 6, Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City, 114, Taiwan
| | - Bing-Mu Hsu
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan
- Center for Innovative on Aging Society (CIRAS), National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Chi Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Pin Chen
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Taipei Medical University-Wan Fang Hospital, School of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tung-Yi Huang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Kuan-Ying Li
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, National Chung Cheng University, Chiayi, Taiwan
| | - Dar-Der Ji
- Department of Tropical Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Herng-Sheng Lee
- Graduate Institute of Life Sciences, National Defense Medical Center, No. 161, Section 6, Minquan East Road, Neihu District, Taipei City, 114, Taiwan.
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital, No. 386, Dazhong 1st Road, Zuoying District, Kaohsiung, 81362, Taiwan.
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31
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Heyworth MF. Genetic aspects and environmental sources of microsporidia that infect the human gastrointestinal tract. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg 2018; 111:18-21. [PMID: 28339881 DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/trx001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/11/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis are microsporidia that infect the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. Each of these microsporidia has been shown to infect various non-human hosts (mammalian and avian), raising the possibility of inter-species transmission, for example, from such hosts to human subjects via waterborne dispersal of microsporidian spores. During the past two decades, genome sequencing has delineated more than 90 genotypes of Ent. bieneusi, and has led to the conclusion that not all the genotypes of this organism infect human subjects. Well documented in the HIV-infected population, GI tract microsporidiosis is also known to occur in immunocompetent, HIV-negative, individuals. The prevalence of HIV-associated microsporidiosis diminished following the introduction of effective anti-retroviral therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin F Heyworth
- Research Service (151), Corporal Michael J. Crescenz Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, University and Woodland Avenues, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Molecular Diagnosis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in Wild Rats of Southwest of Iran. Jundishapur J Microbiol 2018. [DOI: 10.5812/jjm.55961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
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Kord-Sarkachi E, Tavalla M, Beiromvand M. Molecular diagnosis of microsporidia strains in slaughtered cows of southwest of Iran. J Parasit Dis 2017; 42:81-86. [PMID: 29491564 DOI: 10.1007/s12639-017-0969-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2017] [Accepted: 11/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia is often considered as an opportunistic infection in patients with impaired immune systems such as patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome, transplant recipients, children and old people. Due to the ability of the parasite to transmit from animals to human as well as the increasing prevalence of parasitic infections and immune deficiency diseases; therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate molecular diagnosis of microsporidia strains in slaughtered cows of southwest of Iran. Initially, 256 stool samples of cows were collected from 5 regions of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran and stained by modified trichrome (weber). Then, the parasite spores were examined by optical microscope. Total DNA was extracted from samples using DNA extraction kit for stool (Bioneer) and evaluated by multiplex/nested PCR method. The products of nested-PCR were explored by RFLP method using restriction enzyme MnlI. For genotyping, positive samples of RFLP were sequenced. Of 256, 21 and 48 samples were found positive by the staining and nested PCR tests, respectively. Of 48, 36 samples were Enterocytozoon bieneusi with genotype frequency D (22), J (9) and M (5). Also 9 were detected as Encephalitozoon species among which 2 were E. cuniculi, 6 were E. intestinalis and 1 was E. hellem Eventually, 3 samples were found positive for both Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon. The results showed that cows can be a source of microsporidia infections. Due to the zoonotic importance of this parasite and its ability to transmit from animals to humans; the detection and species determination of the parasite seems essential. The highest risk of infection is for individuals with impaired immune systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elham Kord-Sarkachi
- 1Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- 3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Tavalla
- 2Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- 3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Moluok Beiromvand
- 2Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- 3Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Martel-Arquette A, Chen S, Hempstead J, Pacheco R, Antinoff N, Teixeira L. Microsporidial Keratoconjunctivitis in a Pet Bearded Dragon ( Pogona vitticeps ). J Exot Pet Med 2017. [DOI: 10.1053/j.jepm.2017.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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35
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Tavalla M, Mardani-Kateki M, Abdizadeh R, Soltani S, Saki J. Molecular diagnosis of potentially human pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon species in exotic birds in Southwestern Iran. J Infect Public Health 2017; 11:192-196. [PMID: 28869156 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2017.07.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2017] [Revised: 05/13/2017] [Accepted: 07/09/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are obligate intracellular parasites that produce spores. The infections caused by these parasites are mostly considered to be opportunistic in immunodeficient patients. Because of the zoonotic nature of microsporidia as well as the increasing prevalence of immunodeficiency diseases, the aim of this study was to evaluate the molecular diagnosis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) and Encephalitozoon spp. in exotic birds in southwestern Iran. Initially, 816 stool specimens were collected and stained by modified trichrome (Weber) staining. The slides were explored using light microscopy. In the next stage, the extracted DNA was amplified using a multiplex/nested PCR method. RFLP with the Mnl1 restriction enzyme was used to differentiate the Encephalitozoon species in the products of the molecular analysis. Out of 816 samples, 138 and 181 cases were found to be positive by the staining and the multiplex/nested-PCR methods, respectively. Of the 181 samples, 103 and 78 samples were positive for E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp., respectively. The Encephalitozoon species were 17 E. cuniculi, 52 E. intestinalis and 9 E. hellem. Of 103 E. bieneusi samples, 57, 39, 2 and 5 cases were detected as genotypes D, M, E and L, respectively. The results showed a relatively high prevalence of microsporidia in exotic birds, and according to the results of the genotyping, these birds can be an important source of microsporidiosis. It is essential that high-risk individuals, including patients with immunodeficiency diseases, receive accurate and valid information about the risk of direct and indirect contact with infected exotic birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehdi Tavalla
- Health Research Institute, Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
| | - Masoumeh Mardani-Kateki
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran; Student Research Committee, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Rahman Abdizadeh
- Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medicine, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Rahmatiyeh, Shahrekord, Iran
| | - Shahrzad Soltani
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Jasem Saki
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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Oliveira BCM, Ferrari ED, da Cruz Panegossi MF, Nakamura AA, Corbucci FS, Nagata WB, Dos Santos BM, Gomes JF, Meireles MV, Widmer G, Bresciani KDS. First description of Cryptosporidium parvum in carrier pigeons (Columba livia). Vet Parasitol 2017; 243:148-150. [PMID: 28807284 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.06.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2017] [Revised: 06/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/25/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The carrier pigeon and the domestic pigeon are different breeds of the species Columba livia. Carrier pigeons are used for recreational activities such as bird contests and exhibitions. Due to the close contact with humans, these birds may potentially represent a public health risk, since they can host and disseminate zoonotic parasites, such as those belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium (phylum Apicomplexa). The purpose of this work was the detection by microscopic and molecular techniques of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in fecal samples of carrier pigeons, and subsequently to sequence the 18S ribosomal RNA marker of positive samples to identify the species. A total of 100 fecal samples were collected individually in two pigeon breeding facilities from Formiga and Araçatuba, cities located in Minas Gerais state and São Paulo state, Brazil, respectively. The age of the birds ranged from one to 12 years; 56 were females and 44 males. Fecal smears were stained with negative malachite green, whereas the molecular characterization was based on the sequence of a ∼800bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. Microscopic examination of fecal smears revealed 4% (4/100) oocyst positivity. On the other hand, 7% (7/100) of positivity were found using nested PCR. Three samples were 99% to 100% similar to Cryptosporidium parvum 18S rDNA type A (Genbank AH006572) and the other three samples had 99% to 100% similarity to C. parvum 18S rDNA type B (Genbank AF308600). To our knowledge, this is the first report of C. parvum oocysts in carrier pigeons.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elis Domingos Ferrari
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba, Brazil.
| | | | - Alex Akira Nakamura
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba, Brazil.
| | - Flávio Sader Corbucci
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba, Brazil.
| | | | - Bianca Martins Dos Santos
- Laboratory of Visual Informatics in Biomedical and Health, Institute of Computing, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | - Jancarlo Ferreira Gomes
- Laboratory of Visual Informatics in Biomedical and Health, Institute of Computing, University of Campinas - UNICAMP, São Paulo, Brazil.
| | | | - Giovanni Widmer
- Department of Infectious Disease & Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, MA, USA.
| | - Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani
- Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Araçatuba. Rua Clóvis Pestana, 793, Jardim Dona Amélia, cep 16050-680, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil.
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37
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Perec-Matysiak A, Wesołowska M, Leśniańska K, Buńkowska-Gawlik K, Hildebrand J, Kicia M. Survey for Zoonotic Microsporidian Pathogens in Wild Living Urban Rooks (Corvus frugilegus). J Eukaryot Microbiol 2017; 64:721-724. [PMID: 28199765 DOI: 10.1111/jeu.12402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 01/15/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2017] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Microsporidia are opportunistic pathogens in nature infecting all animal phyla. There is a potential risk of microsporidian spores transmission from urban rooks inhabiting some metropolitan cities to people through casual interactions. The aim of this study was to identify microsporidia species in the droppings of rooks in Wroclaw, Poland. A total of 15 collective sets of droppings were examined using nested-PCR method. Amplification of ITS rRNA gene revealed the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi D, Peru 6, and Encephalitozoon hellem 1A genotypes. This study indicates that excreta of urban rooks can be an important source of human infection with these pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
| | - Maria Wesołowska
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 9, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
| | - Kinga Leśniańska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
| | - Katarzyna Buńkowska-Gawlik
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
| | - Joanna Hildebrand
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63/77, Wrocław, 51-148, Poland
| | - Marta Kicia
- Department of Biology and Medical Parasitology, Wrocław Medical University, J. Mikulicza-Radeckiego 9, Wrocław, 50-367, Poland
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Sagastume S, Martín-Hernández R, Higes M, Henriques-Gil N. Genotype diversity in the honey bee parasite Nosema ceranae: multi-strain isolates, cryptic sex or both? BMC Evol Biol 2016; 16:216. [PMID: 27756211 PMCID: PMC5069816 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-016-0797-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2016] [Accepted: 10/11/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background There is great controversy as to whether Microsporidia undergo a sexual cycle. In the paradigmatic case of Nosema ceranae, although there is no morphological evidence of sex, some meiosis-specific genes are present in its reduced genome and there is also high intraspecific variability, with incongruent phylogenies having been systematically obtained. The possibility of sexual recombination is important from an epidemiological standpoint, particularly as N. ceranae is considered to be a major factor in the current disquieting epidemic of widespread bee colony losses. This parasite apparently originated in oriental honey bees, spreading out of Asia and Australia to infect honey bees worldwide. This study had three main objectives: i) to obtain genetic markers that are not part of known multi-copy arrays for strain determination; ii) to shed light on the intraspecific variability and recombination of N. ceranae; and iii) to assess the variability in N. ceranae populations. The answers to these questions are critical to understand the capacity of adaptation of microsporidia. Results Biallelic polymorphisms were detected at a number of specific points in the five coding loci analyzed from European and Australian isolates of N. ceranae. Heterozygous genotypes were abundant and cloning experiments demonstrate that they reflect the existence of multiple alternative sequences in each isolate. The comparisons of different clones and genotypes clearly indicate that new haplotypes are generated by homologous recombination. Conclusions The N. ceranae isolates from honey bees correspond to genotypically distinct populations, revealing that individual honey bees may not be infected by a particular clone but rather, a pool of different strains. Homologous recombination implies the existence of a cryptic sex cycle yet to be described in N. ceranae. There are no diagnostic alleles associated with Australian or European origins, nor are there differences between the two hosts, A. cerana and A. mellifera, supporting the absence of biological barriers for N. ceranae transmission. Diversity is high among microsporidia of both these origins, and the maintenance of a high heterozygosis in the recently invaded European populations, could hypothetically underlie the stronger virulence of N. ceranae observed in A. mellifera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soledad Sagastume
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.
| | - Raquel Martín-Hernández
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain.,Instituto de Recursos Humanos para la Ciencia y la Tecnología (INCRECYT), Parque Científico de Albacete, Spain
| | - Mariano Higes
- Centro Apícola Regional, Bee Pathology Laboratory, 19180, Marchamalo, Guadalajara, Spain
| | - Nuno Henriques-Gil
- Departamento de Ciencias Médicas Básicas, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad CEU San Pablo, Campus de Montepríncipe, 28668, Madrid, Spain
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Deng L, Li W, Yu X, Gong C, Liu X, Zhong Z, Xie N, Lei S, Yu J, Fu H, Chen H, Xu H, Hu Y, Peng G. First Report of the Human-Pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi from Red-Bellied Tree Squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus) in Sichuan, China. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163605. [PMID: 27683278 PMCID: PMC5040432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2016] [Accepted: 09/12/2016] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic pathogen causing diarrhea and enteric disease in a variety of animal hosts. Although it has been reported in many animals, there is no published information available on the occurrence of E. bieneusi in red-bellied tree squirrels. To understand the occurrence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi in red-bellied tree squirrels, 144 fecal specimens from Sichuan province, China, were examined by PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of E. bieneusi. The overall infection rate of E. bieneusi 16.7% (24/144) was observed in red-bellied tree squirrels. Altogether five genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified: three known genotypes D (n = 18), EbpC (n = 3), SC02 (n = 1) and two novel genotypes CE01, CE02 (one each). Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) analysis employing three microsatellite (MS1, MS3, MS7) and one minisatellite (MS4) revealed 16, 14, 7 and 14 positive specimens were successfully sequenced, and identified eight, three, three and two genotypes at four loci, respectively. In phylogenetic analysis, the three known genotypes D, EbpC, and SC02 were clustered into group 1 with zoonotic potential, and the two novel genotypes CE01 and CE02 were clustered into group 6. The present study firstly reported the occurrence of E. bieneusi in red-bellied tree squirrels in China, and the E. bieneusi genotypes D and EbpC were found in humans previously. These results indicate that red-bellied tree squirrels may play a potential role in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Wei Li
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Xingming Yu
- The Chengdu Zoo, Institute of Wild Animals, Chengdu, Sichuan, 625001, China
| | - Chao Gong
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Xuehan Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Na Xie
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Shuangshuang Lei
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Jianqiu Yu
- The Chengdu Zoo, Institute of Wild Animals, Chengdu, Sichuan, 625001, China
| | - Hualin Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Hongwei Chen
- The Chengdu Zoo, Institute of Wild Animals, Chengdu, Sichuan, 625001, China
| | - Huailiang Xu
- College of Life Science, Sichuan Agricultural University, Ya’an, Sichuan, 625014, China
| | - Yanchun Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
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Hinney B, Sak B, Joachim A, Kváč M. More than a rabbit's tale - Encephalitozoon spp. in wild mammals and birds. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2016; 5:76-87. [PMID: 28560162 PMCID: PMC5439460 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2016.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2015] [Revised: 12/23/2015] [Accepted: 01/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Within the microsporidian genus Encephalitozoon, three species, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, Encephalitozoon hellem and Encephalitozoon intestinalis have been described. Several orders of the Class Aves (Passeriformes, Psittaciformes, Apodiformes, Ciconiiformis, Gruiformes, Columbiformes, Suliformes, Podicipediformes, Anseriformes, Struthioniformes, Falconiformes) and of the Class Mammalia (Rodentia, Lagomorpha, Primates, Artyodactyla, Soricomorpha, Chiroptera, Carnivora) can become infected. Especially E. cuniculi has a very broad host range while E. hellem is mainly distributed amongst birds. E. intestinalis has so far been detected only sporadically in wild animals. Although genotyping allows the identification of strains with a certain host preference, recent studies have demonstrated that they have no strict host specificity. Accordingly, humans can become infected with any of the four strains of E. cuniculi as well as with E. hellem or E. intestinalis, the latter being the most common. Especially, but not exclusively, immunocompromised people are at risk. Environmental contamination with as well as direct transmission of Encephalitozoon is therefore highly relevant for public health. Moreover, endangered species might be threatened by the spread of pathogens into their habitats. In captivity, clinically overt and often fatal disease seems to occur frequently. In conclusion, Encephalitozoon appears to be common in wild warm-blooded animals and these hosts may present important reservoirs for environmental contamination and maintenance of the pathogens. Similar to domestic animals, asymptomatic infections seem to occur frequently but in captive wild animals severe disease has also been reported. Detailed investigations into the epidemiology and clinical relevance of these microsporidia will permit a full appraisal of their role as pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Hinney
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Anja Joachim
- Institute of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Veterinaerplatz 1, A-1210 Vienna, Austria
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 13, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
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Zhao W, Yu S, Yang Z, Zhang Y, Zhang L, Wang R, Zhang W, Yang F, Liu A. Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi (Microsporidia) isolated from various birds in China. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2016; 40:151-154. [PMID: 26944443 DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2016.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2015] [Revised: 02/16/2016] [Accepted: 02/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common opportunistic pathogen causing diarrhea in humans and animals. However, epidemiological data on E. bieneusi infections in birds are relatively scare worldwide, especially in China. To understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi in birds and to assess the zoonotic potential of bird-derived E. bieneusi isolates, 194 fecal specimens from Gruidae, Anatidae and Columbidae in Heilongjiang Province, China, were analyzed by PCR and sequencing of the single internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene. The average prevalence of E. bieneusi was 22.2%, with 12.5% for Gruidae, 15.9% for Anatidae and 44.0% for Columbidae. Altogether seven genotypes of E. bieneusi were identified, including four known genotypes-Peru6 (n=29), BEB6 (n=5), D (n=3) and EbpA (n=1)-and three novel genotypes named CHN-B1 (n=1), CHN-B2 (n=3) and CHN-B3 (n=1). All the known genotypes obtained here were previously detected in humans. All the novel genotypes were clustered into the zoonotic group 1 in phylogenetic analysis. The results indicate that these birds may play a potential role in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhao
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Siyang Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Xiangya Medical School, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410008, China
| | - Ziyin Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Yichi Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China
| | - Rongjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China
| | - Weizhe Zhang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Fengkun Yang
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China
| | - Aiqin Liu
- Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
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Liu H, Li M, He X, Cai S, He X, Lu X. Transcriptome sequencing and characterization of ungerminated and germinated spores of Nosema bombycis. Acta Biochim Biophys Sin (Shanghai) 2016; 48:246-56. [PMID: 26837419 DOI: 10.1093/abbs/gmv140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2015] [Accepted: 11/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Nosema bombycis is an obligate intracellular parasitic fungus that utilizes a distinctive mechanism to infect Bombyx mori. Germination, an indispensible process through which microsporidia infect the host cells, is regarded as a key developmental turning point for microsporidia from dormant state to reproduction state. Thus, elucidating the transcriptome changes before and after germination is crucial for parasite control. However, the molecular basis of germination of microsporidia remains unknown. To investigate this germination process, the transcriptome of N. bombycis ungerminated spores and germinated spores were sequenced and analyzed. More than 60 million high-quality transcript reads were generated from these two groups using RNA-Seq technology. After assembly, 2756 and 2690 unigenes were identified, respectively, and subsequently annotated based on known proteins. After analysis of differentially expressed genes, 66 genes were identified to be differentially expressed (P ≤ 0.05) between these two groups. A protein phosphatase-associated gene was first identified to be significantly up-regulated as determined by RNA-Seq and immunoblot analysis, indicating that dephosphorylation might potentially contribute to microsporidia germination. The DEGs that encode proteins involved in glycometabolism, spore wall proteins and ricin B lectin of N. bombycis were also analyzed. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses revealed genes responsible for some specific biological functions and processes. The datasets generated in this study provide a basic characterization of the transcriptome changes in N. bombycis during germination. The analysis of transcriptome data and identification of certain functional genes which are robust candidate genes related to germination will help to provide a deep understanding of spore germination and invasion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Liu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Mingqian Li
- Tongde Hospital of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xinyi He
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Shunfeng Cai
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiangkang He
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xingmeng Lu
- Laboratory of Invertebrate Pathology, College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Shi K, Li M, Wang X, Li J, Karim MR, Wang R, Zhang L, Jian F, Ning C. Molecular survey of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in sheep and goats in China. Parasit Vectors 2016; 9:23. [PMID: 26782742 PMCID: PMC5024852 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-016-1304-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2015] [Accepted: 01/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Over recent years, several studies have conducted genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in various hosts worldwide using sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS), however, relatively little is known about E. bieneusi in sheep and goats in China. Therefore this research was conducted to understand the prevalence and genotype distribution of E. bieneusi in farmed sheep and goats in China. Results A total of 1025 fecal specimens from farmed animals in various geographic areas were collected. Overall, PCR and sequence analysis of the ITS detected E. bieneusi in 34.4 % (353/1025) of isolates; of which the prevalence in goats was 28.8 % (176/611) and in sheep was 42.8 % (177/414). Phylogenetic analysis of ITS sequences identified 42 genotypes (nine known and 33 novel ones). These consisted of four known genotypes (D, KIN-1, EbpC, and F) and 10 novel genotypes (CHG6, CHG7, CHG9, CHG19, CHG23, CHG25, CHS5 and CHS10–CHS12) which all belonged to the so-called zoonotic group 1. A further four known genotypes (CD6, COS-I, BEB6, and J) and 22 novel genotypes (CHG1–CHG3, CHG5, CHG8, CHG10–CHG14, CHG16–CHG18, CHG20, CHG22, CHG24, CHS3, CHS4 and CHS6–CHS9) formed a clade within the group 2. One novel genotype (CHG21) was clustered in the group 9 with the genotype CM4. Conclusions E. bieneusi is highly prevalent, widely distributed, and genetically diverse in Chinese farmed goats and sheep. Some of the genotypes identified are potentially zoonotic. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1304-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ke Shi
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Mengjie Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Xiaoxing Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Md Robiul Karim
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Rongjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Changshen Ning
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
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da Cunha MJR, Cury MC, Santín M. Widespread presence of human-pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in chickens. Vet Parasitol 2015; 217:108-12. [PMID: 26827870 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.12.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2015] [Revised: 12/15/2015] [Accepted: 12/21/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
A total of 151 fecal specimens from chickens were randomly collected from local markets in Uberlândia and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in 24 fecal samples (15.9%). This represents the first report of E. bieneusi in chickens in Brazil. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced and 4 genotypes were identified, Peru 6, Peru 11, Type IV, and D. All four genotypes have previously been reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic. Our results demonstrate that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes are present in chickens in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Júlia Rodrigues da Cunha
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Building 173, BARC-East, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA; Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Av. Pará, 1720, Campus Umuarama, 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil; CAPES Foundation, Ministry of Education of Brazil, Caixa Postal 250, 70040-020 Brasília, DF, Brazil
| | - Márcia Cristina Cury
- Universidade Federal de Uberlândia, Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Av. Pará, 1720, Campus Umuarama, 38400-902, Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Monica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Building 173, BARC-East, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA.
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Microsporidiosis in Vertebrate Companion Exotic Animals. J Fungi (Basel) 2015; 2:jof2010003. [PMID: 29376921 PMCID: PMC5753084 DOI: 10.3390/jof2010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2015] [Revised: 12/07/2015] [Accepted: 12/18/2015] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Veterinarians caring for companion animals may encounter microsporidia in various host species, and diagnosis and treatment of these fungal organisms can be particularly challenging. Fourteen microsporidial species have been reported to infect humans and some of them are zoonotic; however, to date, direct zoonotic transmission is difficult to document versus transit through the digestive tract. In this context, summarizing information available about microsporidiosis of companion exotic animals is relevant due to the proximity of these animals to their owners. Diagnostic modalities and therapeutic challenges are reviewed by taxa. Further studies are needed to better assess risks associated with animal microsporidia for immunosuppressed owners and to improve detection and treatment of infected companion animals.
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Perec-Matysiak A, Buńkowska-Gawlik K, Kváč M, Sak B, Hildebrand J, Leśniańska K. Diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes among small rodents in southwestern Poland. Vet Parasitol 2015; 214:242-6. [PMID: 26520234 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2015] [Revised: 10/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in wild small rodent populations still remains incomplete and only few molecular studies have been conducted among these hosts. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether small rodents, i.e., Apodemus agrarius, Apodemus flavicollis, Mus musculus and Myodes glareolus act as hosts of E. bieneusi and can play an important role in spore spreading in the environment of south-western Poland. Molecular analyses were conducted to determine pathogen genotypes. A total of 191 fecal and 251 spleen samples collected from 311 rodent individuals were examined for the occurrence of E. bieneusi by PCR amplifying ITS gene. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in rodent samples was 38.9%. The nucleotide sequences of ITS region of E. bieneusi revealed the presence a total of 12 genotypes with two being already known, i.e., D and gorilla 1 genotypes. The remaining ten are novel genotypes (WR1-WR10) which segregated into three groups in a neighbor joining phylogeny. This study reports for the first time E. bieneusi occurrence in wild living rodents in Poland and shows extensive genetic diversity within E. bieneusi isolates of rodent origin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Perec-Matysiak
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Katarzyna Buńkowska-Gawlik
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Martin Kváč
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 13, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Parasitology, The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, The Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic
| | - Joanna Hildebrand
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Kinga Leśniańska
- Department of Parasitology, Institute of Genetics and Microbiology, Wrocław University, Przybyszewskiego 63, 51-148 Wrocław, Poland
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ASKARI Z, MIRJALALI H, MOHEBALI M, ZAREI Z, SHOJAEI S, REZAEIAN T, REZAEIAN M. Molecular Detection and Identification of Zoonotic Microsporidia Spore in Fecal Samples of Some Animals with Close-Contact to Human. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PARASITOLOGY 2015; 10:381-8. [PMID: 26622293 PMCID: PMC4662738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microsporidia species are obligatory intracellular agents that can infect all major animal groups including mammals, birds, fishes and insects. Whereas worldwide human infection reports are increasing, the cognition of sources of infection particularly zoonotic transmission could be helpful. We aimed to detect zoonotic microsporidia spore in fecal samples from some animals with close - contact to human. METHODS Overall, 142 fecal samples were collected from animals with closed-contact to human, during 2012-2013. Trichrome - blue staining were performed and DNA was then extracted from samples, identified positive, microscopically. Nested PCR was also carried out with primers targeting SSU rRNA gene and PCR products were sequenced. RESULTS From 142 stool samples, microsporidia spores have been observed microscopically in 15 (10.56%) samples. En. cuniculi was found in the faces of 3 (15%) small white mice and 1 (10%) laboratory rabbits(totally 2.81%). Moreover, E. bieneusi was detected in 3 (10%) samples of sheep, 2 (5.12%) cattle, 1 (10%) rabbit, 3 (11.53%) cats and 2 (11.76%) ownership dogs (totally 7.74%). Phylogenetic analysis showed interesting data. This is the first study in Iran, which identified E. bieneusi and En. Cuniculi in fecal samples of laboratory animals with close - contact to human as well as domesticated animal and analyzed them in phylogenetic tree. CONCLUSION E. bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidia species in animals. Our results can also alert us about potentially zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab ASKARI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamed MIRJALALI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mehdi MOHEBALI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Zabih ZAREI
- Meshkin-Shahr Research Station, School of Public Health and National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Saeideh SHOJAEI
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Tahereh REZAEIAN
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mostafa REZAEIAN
- Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,Center for Research of Endemic Parasites of Iran (CREPI), Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran,
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Li W, Tao W, Jiang Y, Diao R, Yang J, Xiao L. Genotypic distribution and phylogenetic characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in diarrheic chickens and pigs in multiple cities, China: potential zoonotic transmission. PLoS One 2014; 9:e108279. [PMID: 25255117 PMCID: PMC4177920 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0108279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2014] [Accepted: 08/19/2014] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
This study investigated diarrheic broiler and layer chickens (<50 days; n = 14) and pigs of three age groups (preweaned <30 days, weaned ≈30 to 60 days, and growing >60 days; n = 64) for E. bieneusi genotypes in northeast China and evaluated the potential roles of chickens and pigs in zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis. Two 45-day-old layer chickens in city Jixi, Heilongjiang province and one 23-day-old broiler chicken in city Songyuan, Jilin province were identified to harbor a human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotype Henan-IV and a new genotype named CC-1, respectively, by nested PCR and sequence analysis of the ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS). Eleven of 64 (17.2%) duodenal mucosal specimens from pigs in city Tianjin, city Tongliao of Inner Mongolia, cities Jilin and Songyuan of Jilin province, and cities Daqing, Harbin, and Suihua of Heilongjiang province, were positive for E. bieneusi, with the infection rates of weaned pigs (35%, 7/20) significantly higher than preweaned ones (3.6%, 1/28; P<0.05). Nucleotide sequences of the ITS were obtained from 6 pig specimens, belonging to 3 known genotypes CHN7, EbpC, and Henan-IV. That the previous reports have described the occurrence of genotypes EbpC and Henan-IV in humans and EbpC in wastewater in central China and the clustering of genotypes CC-1 and CHN7 into a major phylogenetic group of E. bieneusi genotypes with zoonotic potential indicated that chickens and pigs could be potential sources of human micorsporidiosis. To our knowledge, this is the first report describing the existence of zoonotic E. bieneusi genotypes in diarrheic chickens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
- * E-mail: (WL); (LX)
| | - Wei Tao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Yanxue Jiang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Ruinan Diao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Jinping Yang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
- * E-mail: (WL); (LX)
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Galván-Díaz AL, Magnet A, Fenoy S, Henriques-Gil N, Haro M, Gordo FP, Miró G, del Águila C, Izquierdo F. Microsporidia detection and genotyping study of human pathogenic E. bieneusi in animals from Spain. PLoS One 2014; 9:e92289. [PMID: 24651457 PMCID: PMC3961313 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0092289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2014] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Microsporidia are ubiquitous parasites infecting all animal phyla and we present evidence that supports their zoonotic potential. Fecal samples taken from domestic (cats and dogs), farm (pigs, rabbits and ostriches) and wild animals (foxes) from different provinces of Spain were evaluated for microsporidia infection by light microscopy and PCR. After Microsporidia species identification, E. bieneusi genotypes were additionally studied by sequence analysis of the ITS region. Eighty-five samples out of 159 exhibited structures that were compatible with microsporidia spores by Webeŕs stain with 37 of them being confirmed by PCR. Microsporidia species identified included E. bieneusi, E. intestinalis and A. algerae. We report the first diagnosis of E. intestinalis and E. bieneusi in ostriches and A. algerae in pigs. We also provide new information on the molecular characterization of E. bieneusi isolates both in rabbits and ostriches. All of the E. bieneusi genotypes identified belonged to the zoonotic group of genotypes (Group I) including genotypes A (dogs), I (pigs), D (rabbits and foxes) and type IV (ostriches). Our results demonstrate that microsporidia are present in domestic, farm and wild animals in Spain, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Luz Galván-Díaz
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
- Escuela de Microbiología, Grupo de Parasitología, Universidad de Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Angela Magnet
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Soledad Fenoy
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Nuno Henriques-Gil
- Facultad de Medicina, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - María Haro
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Guadalupe Miró
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Carmen del Águila
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
| | - Fernando Izquierdo
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad San Pablo CEU, Boadilla del Monte, Madrid, Spain
- * E-mail:
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Molecular characterization and genotyping of human related microsporidia in free-ranging and captive pigeons of Tehran, Iran. INFECTION GENETICS AND EVOLUTION 2013. [DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2013.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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