Prevalence and genetic characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in children in Northeast Egypt

High genotype diversity and zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in laboratory mice from two medical experimental animal centers

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a common zoonotic pathogen in wild, farmed and pet rodents worldwide. Recently, one study reported E. bieneusi infection in laboratory mice. To investigate the positive rate and genotype distribution of E. bieneusi in laboratory mice and assess the zoonotic potential of E. bieneusi isolates, 390 mixed mouse fecal specimens were collected from two medical experimental animal centers in Heilongjiang Province, China. E. bieneusi was identified and genotyped by nested PCR amplification and sequence analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of the ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. Seventy-one specimens (18.2%) were positive for E. bieneusi, and 38 genotypes were identified, including eight known genotypes (EbpC, D, Peru8, CS-4, Henan-III, CHC5, ETMK4 and SHWR14) and 30 novel genotypes (HLJLM1 to HLJLM30). Genotypes CHC5 and ETMK4 were firstly detected in rodents. Genotype EbpC showed a dominance (50.7%, 36/71) in positive specimens. Zoonotic genotypes (EbpC, D, Peru8, Henan-III and CS-4) accounted for 64.8% (46/71) of E. bieneusi-positive specimens. In phylogenetic analysis, the novel genotypes fell into three subgroups (1a, 1d, 1e) of Group 1. The identification of known zoonotic genotypes and the phylogenetic result of novel genotypes indicate the potential of laboratory mice in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans. The routine detection of E. bieneusi should be a recommended practice in laboratory animals to ensure the accuracy of the experimental results. Meanwhile, health education of the potential zoonotic transmission of E. bieneusi should be provided to those people having close contact with laboratory mice and their feces.

Molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis of microsporidia in stool specimens isolated from multiple sclerosis patients in the west of Iran

BACKGROUND

Intestinal microsporidiosis is an emerging opportunistic infection that primarily affects individuals with compromised immune systems. This study investigated intestinal microsporidia infections in individuals diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) and elucidated the genetic diversity and evolutionary relationships of microsporidia.

METHODS

A total of 116 stool samples were collected from individuals diagnosed with MS, including 54 men and 63 women, during 2022-2023 in Kurdistan Province, western Iran. The mean age of the participants was 38.28 ± 7.8 years. RNA extraction was performed, followed by amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) to identify and characterize microsporidia and their associated genetic markers. A phylogenetic tree was constructed using MEGA X software to explore the evolutionary relationships among the isolates.

RESULTS

PCR revealed Enterocytozoon bieneusi in 5 of 116 samples (4.3 %), whereas no positive cases of Encephalitozoon species were detected. Additionally, no statistically significant associations were observed between the presence of microsporidia and variables such as age, sex, or geographic region.

CONCLUSION

This study highlights the clinical significance of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in immunocompromised populations, particularly in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). The findings underscore the potential role of zoonotic transmission and highlight the urgent need for enhanced diagnostic capabilities and preventive strategies to combat intestinal microsporidiosis in vulnerable groups, particularly in regions such as western Iran.

Prevalence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in endangered Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii) in Hainan, China

Introduction

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is one of the most frequent microsporidia species causing digestive disorder mainly diarrhea in humans and animals. Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii) is the class I national key protected wildlife and only distributed on Hainan Island in China. No report on the prevalence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in wild Eld's deer worldwide.

Methods

217 fecal samples were collected from Eld's deer in two isolated habitats of a nature reserve in Hainan, and examined by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region.

Results and discussion

The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in Eld's deer was 17.5% (38/217), with 13.5% (12/89) and 20.3% (26/128) in habitats 1 and 2, respectively. Seven ITS genotypes were identified, including five known genotypes: D (n = 19), Peru11 (n = 10), EbpC (n = 5), Peru8 (n = 1) and Type IV (n = 1), and two novel genotypes: HNED-I and HNED-II (one each). Genotypes Peru8 and Peru11 were firstly identified in cervids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the detected genotypes belonged to zoonotic Group 1. The results implied that the further research on threaten of E. bieneusi to endangered Eld's deer and potential risks for public health is necessary.

Prevalence and genotypic diversity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pigeons from two parks in Zhengzhou, China

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a predominant pathogen that presents significant public health and animal husbandry challenges. Information on the prevalence and genotypes of E. bieneusi in pigeons is scarce. In this study, 207 faecal samples were collected from pigeons in two parks in Zhengzhou, China, and subjected to nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) analysis for the detection of E. bieneusi. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi was found to be 15.5% (32/207) across the two parks. ITS sequence analysis identified only the Peru6 genotype (n = 32), which phylogenetic analysis placed within the zoonotic group 1. Among the E. bieneusi isolates, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) at MS1, MS4 and MS7 loci identified 19, 13 and 23 samples, respectively. Of the samples, 11 were successfully amplified and sequenced at all three loci, resulting in nine distinct multilocus genotypes (MLGs). This suggests that pigeons may play a role in the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans and that there is high genetic variability of E. bieneusi in pigeons from Zhengzhou in China.

Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia in Human and Animal Stool Samples

Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia are opportunistic microorganisms with remarkable zoonotic transmission potential due to their capacity to infect humans and animals. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of these microorganisms in stool samples of animal and human origin. In total, 369 stool samples (205 from human patients with diarrhea and 164 of animal origin) were included in the study. Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia presence were determined by using multiplex nested PCR. Positive results were analyzed by using Sanger sequencing of the amplicon, utilizing BLASTN and ClustalX software to confirm identification. Cryptosporidium spp. were found in 0.97% and 4.26% of human and animal samples, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was detected in human and animal stools in 6.82% and 3.05% of the samples, respectively. No associations were found when analyzing the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi and the demographic and clinical variables of patients and animals. This study demonstrates the presence of these microorganisms in human and animal samples from different species, and the most interesting findings are the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in pets (e.g., rodents) that are not usually included in this type of study, and the identification of E. bieneusi in patients with diarrhea without underlying disease.

Global prevalence and risk factors of Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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.

Molecular detection and characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Egypt

Introduction

Few studies have investigated the occurrence of microeukaryotic gut parasites in dromedary camels in Egypt, and the majority of these investigations are based on microscopic analysis of fecal material.

Methods

Herein, we assessed the occurrence, molecular diversity, and zoonotic potential of protozoan (Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis) and microsporidian (Enterocytozoon bieneusi) pathogens in individual fecal samples (n = 102) of dromedary camels with (n = 26) and without (n = 76) diarrhea from Aswan Governorate, Upper Egypt. Other factors possibly associated with an increased risk of infection (geographical origin, sex, age, and physical condition) were also analyzed. The SSU rRNA or ITS genes were targeted by molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) techniques for pathogen detection and species identification.

Results and discussion

The most abundant species detected was G. duodenalis (3.9%, 4/102; 95% CI: 1.1-9.7), followed by Cryptosporidium spp. (2.9%, 3/102; 95% CI: 0.6-8.4). All samples tested negative for the presence of E. bieneusi. Sequence analysis data confirmed the presence of zoonotic C. parvum (66.7%, 2/3) and cattle-adapted C. bovis (33.3%, 1/3). These Cryptosporidium isolates, as well as the four Giardia-positive isolates, were unable to be amplified at adequate genotyping markers (Cryptosporidium: gp60; Giardia: gdh, bg, and tpi). Camels younger than 2 years old were significantly more likely to harbor Cryptosporidium infections. This connection was not statistically significant, although two of the three cryptosporidiosis cases were detected in camels with diarrhea. The spread of G. duodenalis infections was unaffected by any risk variables studied. This is the first report of C. parvum and C. bovis in Egyptian camels. The finding of zoonotic C. parvum has public health implications since camels may function as sources of oocyst pollution in the environment and potentially infect livestock and humans. Although preliminary, this study provides useful baseline data on the epidemiology of diarrhea-causing microeukaryotic parasites in Egypt. Further research is required to confirm and expand our findings in other animal populations and geographical regions of the country.