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Home / Equine Research Bank / J Parasitol / A zoonotic genotype of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in horses.
The Journal of parasitology2009; 96(1); 157-161; doi: 10.1645/GE-2184.1

A zoonotic genotype of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in horses.

Abstract: This is the first report of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in an equid species. Feces from 195 horses from 4 locations in Colombia were examined for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction. Of these, 21 horses (10.8%) were found positive for E. bieneusi . The prevalence of E. bieneusi in horses 1 yr of age (2.5%). No significant differences in prevalence were observed between male (13.7%) and female horses (9%). Sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer region of the SSUrRNA locus identified 3 genotypes. Two genotypes appear to be unique to horses and were named Horse 1 and Horse 2. A third genotype, identified as genotype D, was detected in 4 horses. This genotype, previously reported to infect humans, beaver, cattle, dogs, falcons, foxes, macaques, muskrats, pigs, and raccoons, is the most ubiquitous of the E. bieneusi zoonotic genotypes. Our findings indicate that E. bieneusi from horses can be a potential source of infection for humans.
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Publication Date: 2009-10-06 PubMed ID: 19799490DOI: 10.1645/GE-2184.1Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research study reports the identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a zoonotic parasite, in horses in Colombia. A zoonotic genotype of the parasite identified could potentially infect humans.

Study Overview

  • The research analyzed stool samples from 195 horses across four locations in Colombia. The aim of the study was to detect the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi – a type of microscopic spore-forming parasite.
  • The analytical method used to isolate and identify the DNA of E. bieneusi was polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Key Findings

  • Out of the 195 horses sampled, 21 (approx 10.8%) tested positive for E. bieneusi.
  • The prevalence of E. bieneusi infection was considerably higher in horses less than one year old (23.7%) compared to horses over a year old (2.5%).
  • There was no observed significant difference in infection rates between male and female horses.

Genotypes Identification

  • Further investigation through sequencing specific section of the SSUrRNA locus in the DNA of the identified parasites resulted in the identification of three different genotypes.
  • Two genotypes, termed Horse 1 and Horse 2 in the study, appear to be unique to horses.
  • The third genotype, named as D, has been previously reported to infect a variety of species including humans, beaver, cattle, dogs, falcons, foxes, macaques, muskrats, pigs, and raccoons. This could make it a potential zoonotic threat.

Implications

  • The most significant finding of the study is the identification of an E. bieneusi genotype D in horses, as it is known to infect humans and a variety of other species.
  • This suggests horses could be a possible source of zoonotic transmission of this parasitic infection to humans, posing a potential public health concern.
  • Further research is necessary to understand the exact mechanisms and risks of transmission from horses to humans to develop mitigation strategies.

Cite This Article

APA
Santín M, Vecino JA, Fayer R. (2009). A zoonotic genotype of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in horses. J Parasitol, 96(1), 157-161. https://doi.org/10.1645/GE-2184.1

Publication

The Journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1937-2345
NlmUniqueID: 7803124
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 96
Issue: 1
Pages: 157-161

Researcher Affiliations

Santín, Mónica
  • Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Animal and Natural Resources Institute, Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture, 10300 Baltimore Avenue, Beltsville, Maryland 20705, USA. monica.santin-duran@ars.usda.gov
Vecino, Jesús A Cortés
    Fayer, Ronald

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Base Sequence
      • DNA, Fungal / chemistry
      • DNA, Fungal / isolation & purification
      • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
      • Enterocytozoon / classification
      • Enterocytozoon / genetics
      • Feces / microbiology
      • Female
      • Genotype
      • Horse Diseases / microbiology
      • Horses
      • Humans
      • Male
      • Microsporidiosis / microbiology
      • Microsporidiosis / veterinary
      • Molecular Sequence Data
      • Phylogeny
      • Polymerase Chain Reaction
      • RNA, Ribosomal / genetics
      • Zoonoses / microbiology

      Citations

      This article has been cited 24 times.
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