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Publications

Journal Article Epublish

PubMed: 40177415 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2025.101011

Molecular evidence of host range expansion of in captive wildlife at Beijing Zoo, China.

One Health 20:101011

Authors: Zhiyang Pei, Bowen Zhang, Yongqiang He, Qianming Zhao, Fuchang Yu, Ting Jia, Zhenjie Zhang, Meng Qi

Affiliations

  • College of Animal Science and Technology, Tarim University, Alaer, Xinjiang 843300, China.
  • Beijing Zoo, Beijing Key Laboratory of Captive Wildlife Technologies, Beijing 100044, China.

Abstract

has become a significant public health concern due to its ability to infect both humans and animals on a global scale. However, there is a paucity of epidemiological data regarding this pathogen in captive wildlife. In this study, 445 fecal samples were collected from captive animals at Beijing Zoo and analyzed using PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA of . The overall prevalence was determined to be 7.0 % (31/445), with infection rates of 7.1 % (23/322) in mammals and 6.5 % (8/123) in Aves. Genotypic characterization 12 distinct genotypes, including 11 known genotypes belonging to Groups 1 (EbpA, PigEBITS7, D, HND-1, SC02, CM16, MJ13), 2 (BEB6), 7 (CM 4), and 13 (CHB1, CHK1), along with one novel genotype (BJZ-1) in Group 1. The detection of zoonotic genotypes from Groups 1 and 2 underscores the potential for cross-species transmission between captive wildlife and humans. Notably, this study presents the first molecular identification of in caracals, polar bears, giant anteaters, and grey herons, thereby significantly expanding the known host range of this pathogen. These findings emphasise the necessity of implementing One Health surveillance strategies to monitor and mitigate zoonotic risks at the human-animal interface.

MeSH

Genotype