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Molecular Survey and Genetic Characterization of Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis in Horses in Shanxi Province, Northern China.
Abstract: Trichomonads include species of veterinary and zoonotic importance, yet infections with trichomonads in horses remain uncharacterized in Shanxi Province, Northern China. In the present study, we conducted a molecular survey of and using 631 horse fecal samples collected from Datong, Taiyuan, and Yuncheng cities in Shanxi Province between March and June 2023. Nested PCR assays targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene were used to detect the two trichomonad species. The overall molecular prevalences were 3.7% (23/631; 95% CI, 2.5-5.5%) for and 0.8% (5/631; 95% CI, 0.3-1.9%) for . prevalence differed significantly by region and management mode but not by age or sex. was detected only in Datong City, resulting in a significant regional difference; however, age, sex, and management mode were not significantly associated with prevalence. Five representative sequences and one representative sequence were obtained in the present study. Among these sequences, two sequences shared 100% nucleotide identity with reference sequences from pigs, cattle, and horses; three showed only minor nucleotide variation. The representative sequence clustered with the zoonotic genotype CC1, suggesting that horses may form part of the broader host network of , though further work is needed to establish horses' reservoir competence or confirm their role in the transmission. These findings provide the first molecular evidence of and in horses from Shanxi Province, and establish a baseline for future surveillance and One Health risk assessments.
Publication Date: 2026-08-31 PubMed ID: 42738487PubMed Central: PMC13565542DOI: 10.3390/ani16172699Google 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.
- Journal Article
Summary
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Overview
- This study investigated the presence and genetic characteristics of two trichomonad parasites, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis, in horses from Shanxi Province, Northern China, using molecular techniques.
- The research provides new evidence on the prevalence and potential zoonotic relevance of these parasites in horses within this region.
Background
- Trichomonads are a group of protozoan parasites with veterinary and zoonotic significance, meaning they can infect animals and potentially humans.
- Infections by trichomonads in horses had not previously been characterized in Shanxi Province, Northern China.
- The study aimed to fill this gap by conducting a molecular survey to detect and genetically characterize two species: Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis.
Methods
- Sample Collection: 631 fecal samples were collected from horses in three cities within Shanxi Province — Datong, Taiyuan, and Yuncheng — between March and June 2023.
- Molecular Detection: The research team used Nested PCR assays targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene to detect the presence of both trichomonad species in the samples.
- Sequencing: Representative sequences of each parasite species were obtained for genetic characterization and comparison with reference sequences.
Results
- Prevalence Rates:
- Tetratrichomonas buttreyi was found in 3.7% of samples (23 out of 631, with a 95% confidence interval of 2.5-5.5%).
- Pentatrichomonas hominis was detected in 0.8% of samples (5 out of 631, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.3-1.9%).
- Geographical and Management Differences:
- The prevalence of T. buttreyi varied significantly by region and horse management mode, but was not influenced by the age or sex of horses.
- P. hominis was only detected in horses from Datong City, showing significant regional differences, but its prevalence was not associated with age, sex, or management mode.
- Genetic Analysis:
- Out of the five representative T. buttreyi sequences, two were 100% identical to reference sequences previously isolated from pigs, cattle, and horses, while the other three exhibited minor genetic variations.
- The single representative sequence for P. hominis belonged to the zoonotic genotype CC1, which is known for crossing between animal and human hosts.
Implications
- This study is the first to provide molecular evidence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis infection in horses from Shanxi Province, expanding knowledge of the diversity and distribution of these protozoan parasites in equine populations.
- The identification of a zoonotic genotype of P. hominis suggests horses could be part of the broader host network that may facilitate transmission between animals and humans, raising One Health concerns.
- Further research is needed to determine whether horses act as reservoirs capable of transmitting these parasites or if they play a significant role in the parasites’ life cycle and spread.
- Findings help establish baseline data for future surveillance programs and risk assessments focused on animal health and potential zoonotic transmission risks in the region.
Conclusion
- The molecular survey successfully detected and genetically characterized Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis in horses in Northern China for the first time.
- The study highlights the importance of monitoring protozoan parasites in equine populations due to their potential animal health impacts and zoonotic risks.
- This work supports the broader One Health framework by linking animal parasitic infections to possible implications for human health and disease transmission.
Cite This Article
APA
Wang DY, Su N, Li W, Zhang ZD, Liu XZ, Gao WW.
(2026).
Molecular Survey and Genetic Characterization of Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis in Horses in Shanxi Province, Northern China.
Animals (Basel), 16(17), 2699.
https://doi.org/10.3390/ani16172699 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
- Shanxi Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Research, Prevention and Control, College of Veterinary Medicine, Shanxi Agricultural University, Jinzhong 030801, China.
Grant Funding
- 2021XG001 / Shanxi Agricultural University
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
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