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Journal Article Epublish 8 citations

PubMed: 38539951 DOI: 10.3390/ani14060853

Epidemiology and Molecular Characterization of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Protozoal Infection in Zoo Animals in China.

Animals (Basel) 14(6)

Authors: Diya An, Tingting Jiang, Changsheng Zhang, Lei Ma, Ting Jia, Yanqun Pei, Zifu Zhu, Qun Liu, Jing Liu

Affiliations

  • National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
  • National Natural History Museum of China, Beijing 100050, China.
  • College of Life Science, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang 050024, China.
  • Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technologies, Beijing Zoo, Beijing 100044, China.
  • National Animal Protozoa Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China. Key Laboratory of Animal Epidemiology of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, College of Veterinary Medicine, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.

Abstract

Zoo animals, harboring zoonotic gastrointestinal protozoal diseases, pose potential hazards to the safety of visitors and animal keepers. This study involved the collection and examination of 400 fresh fecal samples from 68 animal species, obtained from five zoos. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of common gastrointestinal protists. PCR or nested PCR analysis was conducted on these samples to detect four specific parasites: spp., , , and spp. The overall prevalence of was 0.5% (2/400), was 6.0% (24/400), spp. was 24.5% (98/400), and was 13.5% (54/400). , spp., and were detected in all of the zoos, exhibiting various zoonotic genotypes or subtypes. -positive samples exhibited three assemblages (D, E, and B). spp. subtypes (ST1, ST2, ST3, ST4, ST5, ST8, ST10, ST13, and ST14) and one unknown subtype (ST) were identified. A total of 12 genotypes of were identified, including SC02, BEB6, Type IV, pigEBITS 7, Peru8, PtEb IX, D, CD9, EbpC, SCBB1, CM4, and CM7. Moreover, significant differences in the positive rates among different zoos were observed ( < 0.01). The findings indicate that zoo animals in China are affected by a range of intestinal protozoa infections. Emphasizing molecular identification for specific parasite species or genotypes is crucial for a better understanding of the zoonotic risk. Preventing and controlling parasitic diseases in zoos is not only vital for zoo protection and management but also holds significant public health implications.

MeSH

Infections, Epidemiology, Zoonoses, Genotype, Parasites

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