FREE SHIPPING over $40
OVER 9000 FIVE-STAR REVIEWS
5% OFF ALL SUBSCRIPTIONS
100% HAPPINESS GUARANTEE
Analyze Diet
0
Home / Equine Research Bank / Korean J Parasitol / Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes and Infections in the Hors...
The Korean journal of parasitology2021; 59(6); 639-643; doi: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.639

Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes and Infections in the Horses in Korea.

Abstract: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a microsporidian pathogen. Recently, the equestrian population is increasing in Korea. The horse-related zoonotic pathogens, including E. bieneusi, are concerns of public health. A total of 1,200 horse fecal samples were collected from riding centers and breeding farms in Jeju Island and inland areas. Of the fecal samples 15 (1.3%) were PCR positive for E. bieneusi. Interestingly, all positive samples came from Jeju Island. Diarrhea and infection in foals were related. Two genotypes (horse1, horse2) were identified as possible zoonotic groups requiring continuous monitoring.
Get Full Text
Publication Date: 2021-12-22 PubMed ID: 34974671PubMed Central: PMC8721311DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.639Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
LinkedInCopy
  • 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 examines the microsporidian pathogen, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, in the horse population in Korea, its public health implications, and the genotypes found in fecal samples.

Background

  • The study centres around Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a tiny pathogen that belongs to a group of fungus-like microorganisms known as microsporidia. This pathogen is responsible for causing illness in several animal species, including horses.
  • As the horse population in Korea is increasing, particularly for equestrian purposes, there is a concern about horse-related zoonotic pathogens spreading to humans.
  • The primary objective of the study is to identify the genotypes of E. bieneusi and understand their prevalence in the horse population, particularly with regard to any public health risks.

Methods

  • A total of 1,200 horse fecal samples were collected from multiple sources, such as riding centres and breeding farms across Jeju Island and mainland areas.
  • These samples were tested using a technique known as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect the presence of E. bieneusi.

Findings

  • Out of the 1,200 samples collected, 15 (or 1.3%) tested positive for E. bieneusi— all these positive samples came exclusively from Jeju Island.
  • The study also found a link between incidence of diarrhea and infection in young horses (foals).
  • The team identified two genotypes of E. bieneusi (namely, horse1 and horse2). These genotypes can potentially transmit to humans (zoonotic) and hence need ongoing monitoring.

Implications

  • The research highlights the presence of the E. bieneusi pathogen in the horse populations in Korea, pointing to a possibility of zoonotic transfer to humans, especially given the increasing interaction between horses and humans in the country.
  • The fact that all positive samples were found in Jeju Island indicates a geographical localization of the pathogen, which might help in better disease management.
  • The correlation between diarrhoea in foals and E. bieneusi infection can help in early detection and treatment of the disease.
  • The identification of potential zoonotic genotypes emphasises the importance of continuous genomic surveillance to prevent potential zoonotic transmission.

Cite This Article

APA
Lee H, Lee SH, Lee YR, Kim HY, Moon BY, Han JE, Rhee MH, Kwon OD, Kwak D. (2021). Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes and Infections in the Horses in Korea. Korean J Parasitol, 59(6), 639-643. https://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2021.59.6.639

Publication

The Korean journal of parasitology
ISSN: 1738-0006
NlmUniqueID: 9435800
Country: Korea (South)
Language: English
Volume: 59
Issue: 6
Pages: 639-643

Researcher Affiliations

Lee, Haeseung
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Lee, Seung-Hun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Chungbuk 28644, Korea.
Lee, Yu-Ran
  • Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gyeongbuk 39660, Korea.
Kim, Ha-Young
  • Bacterial Disease Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gyeongbuk 39660, Korea.
Moon, Bo-Youn
  • Animal Disease Diagnostic Division, Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency, Gyeongbuk 39660, Korea.
Han, Jee Eun
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea.
Rhee, Man Hee
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea.
Kwon, Oh-Deog
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
Kwak, Dongmi
  • College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
  • Cardiovascular Research Institute, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41944, Korea.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • China
  • Enterocytozoon / genetics
  • Feces
  • Genotype
  • Horses
  • Microsporidiosis / epidemiology
  • Microsporidiosis / veterinary
  • Phylogeny
  • Prevalence
  • Zoonoses / epidemiology

Grant Funding

  • B-1543069-2019-21-03 / Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency
  • 2016R1D1A1B02015366 / National Research Foundation of Korea
  • Ministry of Education

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest related to this study.

References

This article includes 32 references
  1. Feng S, Jia T, Huang J, Fan Y, Chang H, Han S, Luo J, He H. Identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Cryptosporidium spp. in farmed wild boars (Sus scrofa) in Beijing, China.. Infect Genet Evol 2020 Jun;80:104231.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104231pubmed: 32007628google scholar: lookup
  2. Karim MR, Dong H, Li T, Yu F, Li D, Zhang L, Li J, Wang R, Li S, Li X, Rume FI, Ning C. Predomination and new genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive nonhuman primates in zoos in China: high genetic diversity and zoonotic significance.. PLoS One 2015;10(2):e0117991.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0117991pmc: PMC4338232pubmed: 25705879google scholar: lookup
  3. Li W, Feng Y, Santin M. Host Specificity of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Public Health Implications.. Trends Parasitol 2019 Jun;35(6):436-451.
    doi: 10.1016/j.pt.2019.04.004pubmed: 31076351google scholar: lookup
  4. Li W, Feng Y, Zhang L, Xiao L. Potential impacts of host specificity on zoonotic or interspecies transmission of Enterocytozoon bieneusi.. Infect Genet Evol 2019 Nov;75:104033.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104033pubmed: 31494271google scholar: lookup
  5. Ou Y, Jiang W, Roellig DM, Wan Z, Li N, Guo Y, Feng Y, Xiao L. Characterizations of Enterocytozoon bieneusi at new genetic loci reveal a lack of strict host specificity among common genotypes and the existence of a canine-adapted Enterocytozoon species.. Int J Parasitol 2021 Feb;51(2-3):215-223.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijpara.2020.09.008pubmed: 33275946google scholar: lookup
  6. 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 Mar;68(2):e12839.
    doi: 10.1111/jeu.12839pubmed: 33448088google scholar: lookup
  7. Laatamna AE, Wagnerová P, Sak B, Květoňová D, Xiao L, Rost M, McEvoy J, Saadi AR, Aissi M, Kváč M. Microsporidia and Cryptosporidium in horses and donkeys in Algeria: detection of a novel Cryptosporidium hominis subtype family (Ik) in a horse.. Vet Parasitol 2015 Mar 15;208(3-4):135-42.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.01.007pubmed: 25638716google scholar: lookup
  8. Qi M, Wang R, Wang H, Jian F, Li J, Zhao J, Dong H, Zhu H, Ning C, Zhang L. Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes in Grazing Horses in China and their Zoonotic Transmission Potential.. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2016 Sep;63(5):591-7.
    doi: 10.1111/jeu.12308pubmed: 26909747google scholar: lookup
  9. Santín M, Vecino JA, Fayer R. A zoonotic genotype of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in horses.. J Parasitol 2010 Feb;96(1):157-61.
    doi: 10.1645/GE-2184.1pubmed: 19799490google scholar: lookup
  10. Wagnerová P, Sak B, Květoňová D, Buňatová Z, Civišová H, Maršálek M, Kváč M. Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon cuniculi in horses kept under different management systems in the Czech Republic.. Vet Parasitol 2012 Dec 21;190(3-4):573-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2012.07.013pubmed: 22877825google scholar: lookup
  11. Wagnerová P, Sak B, McEvoy J, Rost M, Sherwood D, Holcomb K, Kváč M. Cryptosporidium parvum and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in American Mustangs and Chincoteague ponies.. Exp Parasitol 2016 Mar;162:24-7.
    doi: 10.1016/j.exppara.2015.12.004pubmed: 26688100google scholar: lookup
  12. Amer S, Kim S, Han JI, Na KJ. Prevalence and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wildlife in Korea: a public health concern.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Apr 8;12(1):160.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3427-6pmc: PMC6454782pubmed: 30961667google scholar: lookup
  13. Hwang S, Shin SU, Kim S, Ryu JH, Choi KS. Zoonotic potential of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pre-weaned Korean native calves.. Parasit Vectors 2020 Jun 10;13(1):300.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-020-04175-2pmc: PMC7288687pubmed: 32522245google scholar: lookup
  14. Lee H, Seo MG, Lee SH, Oem JK, Kim SH, Jeong H, Kim Y, Jheong WH, Kwon OD, Kwak D. Distribution and genotypic analysis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from wild boars in Korea.. Med Mycol 2021 Sep 3;59(9):934-938.
    doi: 10.1093/mmy/myab030pubmed: 33998652google scholar: lookup
  15. Lee SH, Oem JK, Lee SM, Son K, Jo SD, Kwak D. Molecular detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from bats in South Korea.. Med Mycol 2018 Nov 1;56(8):1033-1037.
    doi: 10.1093/mmy/myx136pubmed: 29228260google scholar: lookup
  16. Zhang XX, Cong W, Lou ZL, Ma JG, Zheng WB, Yao QX, Zhao Q, Zhu XQ. Prevalence, risk factors and multilocus genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed foxes (Vulpes lagopus), Northern China.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Feb 5;9:72.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1356-1pmc: PMC4743323pubmed: 26847241google scholar: lookup
  17. Hall TA. BioEdit: a user-friendly biological sequence alignment editor and analysis program for Windows 95/98/NT. Nucleic Acids Symp Ser 1999;41:95–98.
  18. Kumar S, Stecher G, Tamura K. MEGA7: Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis Version 7.0 for Bigger Datasets.. Mol Biol Evol 2016 Jul;33(7):1870-4.
    doi: 10.1093/molbev/msw054pmc: PMC8210823pubmed: 27004904google scholar: lookup
  19. Jeong DK, Won GY, Park BK, Hur J, You JY, Kang SJ, Oh IG, Lee YS, Stein BD, Lee JH. Occurrence and genotypic characteristics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pigs with diarrhea.. Parasitol Res 2007 Dec;102(1):123-8.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0740-3pubmed: 17874327google scholar: lookup
  20. Kwak D, Seo MG. Genetic Analysis of Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Protozoa and Microsporidia in Shelter Cats in South Korea.. Pathogens 2020 Oct 27;9(11).
    doi: 10.3390/pathogens9110894pmc: PMC7693795pubmed: 33121067google scholar: lookup
  21. Lee JH. Prevalence and molecular characteristics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cattle in Korea.. Parasitol Res 2007 Jul;101(2):391-6.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-007-0468-0pubmed: 17323141google scholar: lookup
  22. Yildirim A, Okur M, Uslug S, Onder Z, Yetismis G, Duzlu O, Ciloglu A, Simsek E, Inci A. First report on the molecular prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in horses in Turkey: genotype distributions and zoonotic potential.. Parasitol Res 2020 Sep;119(9):2821-2828.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-020-06783-4pubmed: 32594238google scholar: lookup
  23. Feng Y, Gong X, Zhu K, Li N, Yu Z, Guo Y, Weng Y, Kváč M, Feng Y, Xiao L. Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in pre-weaned dairy calves in Guangdong, China.. Parasit Vectors 2019 Jan 17;12(1):41.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-019-3310-5pmc: PMC6337774pubmed: 30654832google scholar: lookup
  24. Zhang Y, Koehler AV, Wang T, Haydon SR, Gasser RB. Enterocytozoon bieneusi Genotypes in Cattle on Farms Located within a Water Catchment Area.. J Eukaryot Microbiol 2019 Jul;66(4):553-559.
    doi: 10.1111/jeu.12696pubmed: 30358006google scholar: lookup
  25. Zhang Y, Mi R, Yang J, Wang J, Gong H, Huang Y, Wang X, Han X, Zhou H, Chen Z. Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in farmed goats and sheep in Ningxia, China.. Infect Genet Evol 2020 Nov;85:104559.
    doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2020.104559pubmed: 32961363google scholar: lookup
  26. Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, South Korea (MAFRA) Report of “A Fact Finding Survey of Horse Industry in South Korea during 2019”. 2020.
  27. Deng L, Li W, Zhong Z, Gong C, Liu X, Huang X, Xiao L, Zhao R, Wang W, Feng F, Zhang Y, Hu Y, Fu H, He M, Zhang Y, Wu K, Peng G. Molecular characterization and multilocus genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi among horses in southwestern China.. Parasit Vectors 2016 Oct 25;9(1):561.
    doi: 10.1186/s13071-016-1844-3pmc: PMC5078948pubmed: 27776551google scholar: lookup
  28. Akinbo FO, Okaka CE, Omoregie R, Dearen T, Leon ET, Xiao L. Molecular epidemiologic characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in HIV-infected persons in Benin City, Nigeria.. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2012 Mar;86(3):441-5.
    doi: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0548pmc: PMC3284359pubmed: 22403314google scholar: lookup
  29. Baroudi D, Zhang H, Amer S, Khelef D, Roellig DM, Wang Y, Feng Y, Xiao L. Divergent Cryptosporidium parvum subtype and Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in dromedary camels in Algeria.. Parasitol Res 2018 Mar;117(3):905-910.
    doi: 10.1007/s00436-017-5734-1pubmed: 29327324google scholar: lookup
  30. 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(9):e0163605.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163605pmc: PMC5040432pubmed: 27683278google scholar: lookup
  31. Ye J, Xiao L, Ma J, Guo M, Liu L, Feng Y. Anthroponotic enteric parasites in monkeys in public park, China.. Emerg Infect Dis 2012 Oct;18(10):1640-3.
    doi: 10.3201/eid1810.120653pmc: PMC3471640pubmed: 23017776google scholar: lookup
  32. Deng L, Li W, Zhong Z, Gong C, Cao X, Song Y, Wang W, Huang X, Liu X, Hu Y, Fu H, He M, Wang Y, Zhang Y, Wu K, Peng G. Multi-locus genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in captive Asiatic black bears in southwestern China: High genetic diversity, broad host range, and zoonotic potential.. PLoS One 2017;12(2):e0171772.
    doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171772pmc: PMC5300288pubmed: 28182656google scholar: lookup

Citations

This article has been cited 5 times.
  1. Abdugheni R, Li L, Yang ZN, Huang Y, Fang BZ, Shurigin V, Mohamad OAA, Liu YH, Li WJ. Microbial Risks Caused by Livestock Excrement: Current Research Status and Prospects. Microorganisms 2023 Jul 27;11(8).
    doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11081897pubmed: 37630456google scholar: lookup
  2. Jian Y, Zhang X, Wang G, Wang G, Li X, Ma L, Liang Q, Li C, Zhang Y. First report on the molecular detection of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in livestock and wildlife around Qinghai Lake in the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area, China. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023 Aug;21:110-115.
    doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.04.012pubmed: 37575666google scholar: lookup
  3. Park HM, Lee H, Chae SJ, Son K, Lee S, Nazim K, Lee SH, Koo Y, Kang J, Seo MG, Park SJ, Rhee MH, Kwak D. Distribution and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in raccoon dogs in Korea. Parasites Hosts Dis 2025 Aug;63(3):258-263.
    doi: 10.3347/PHD.25029pubmed: 40888020google scholar: lookup
  4. Lee H, Jo M, Kim H, Nazim K, Lee SH, Seo MG, Park SJ, Rhee MH, Kwak D. Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Environmental Sources near Cattle Farms in Korea. Int J Mol Sci 2025 Jul 27;26(15).
    doi: 10.3390/ijms26157270pubmed: 40806402google scholar: lookup
  5. Park HM, Lee H, Sung SY, Nazim K, Jang BY, Sung KC, Lee SH, Seo MG, Rhee MH, Kwak D. Distribution and genotypic analysis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from cats in Korea. Parasites Hosts Dis 2025 May;63(2):188-194.
    doi: 10.3347/PHD.25019pubmed: 40452281google scholar: lookup
Subscribe to our newsletter
Join 99,357 horse owners like you who receive our email updates on horse health and nutrition.