Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization
IntroductionTo investigate the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium, and Sarcocystis in domestic cats in Anhui Province, China, and their potential role as zoonotic hosts for human infection, a total of 304 fecal samples...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522176/full |
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| author | Hao Zhang Xing Tong Zhonghui Ma Tao Zhang Feng Wu Qiong Wu Congshan Yang Chunyang Han |
| author_facet | Hao Zhang Xing Tong Zhonghui Ma Tao Zhang Feng Wu Qiong Wu Congshan Yang Chunyang Han |
| author_sort | Hao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionTo investigate the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium, and Sarcocystis in domestic cats in Anhui Province, China, and their potential role as zoonotic hosts for human infection, a total of 304 fecal samples from two different sources were screened for the presence of related pathogens.MethodsUsing microscopy, along with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nested PCR amplification, followed by genotyping through sequence analysis.ResultsThe infection rates of T. foetus, P. hominis, G. intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Sarcocystis were 5.6%, 0%, 1.7%, 0.7%, 2.6%, and 0%, respectively. The evolutionary relationships and genetic characteristics of G. intestinalis based on the GDH gene, Cryptosporidium based on the SSU rRNA gene, and E. bieneusi based on the ITS sequence were assessed: five cases of G. intestinalis were identified, with four belonging to assemblage F and one to zoonotic assemblage B, two Cryptosporidium cases were identified as Cryptosporidium felis, and all eight E. bieneusi cases were identified as belonging to group 1, with three cases being genotype D, three EbpA, and two EbpC.DiscussionAge, neutering status, and deworming were identified as potential risk factors. Further analysis revealed that diarrhea, as a clinical symptom, could serve as an indicator for pathogen infection. Although the pathogen infection rates detected in this study were relatively low, their zoonotic transmission potential cannot be ignored. Therefore, special attention should be paid, and it is essential to establish targeted prevention plans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a488e883491848b98f05309a61f8bcb8 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2235-2988 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology |
| spelling | doaj-art-a488e883491848b98f05309a61f8bcb82025-01-27T06:40:57ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology2235-29882025-01-011510.3389/fcimb.2025.15221761522176Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterizationHao Zhang0Xing Tong1Zhonghui Ma2Tao Zhang3Feng Wu4Qiong Wu5Congshan Yang6Chunyang Han7College of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaChongxin’an Animal Hospital, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaJiujiang District Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Service Center, Wuhu, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, Anhui, ChinaIntroductionTo investigate the prevalence of Tritrichomonas foetus, Pentatrichomonas hominis, Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Microsporidium, and Sarcocystis in domestic cats in Anhui Province, China, and their potential role as zoonotic hosts for human infection, a total of 304 fecal samples from two different sources were screened for the presence of related pathogens.MethodsUsing microscopy, along with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) or nested PCR amplification, followed by genotyping through sequence analysis.ResultsThe infection rates of T. foetus, P. hominis, G. intestinalis, Cryptosporidium, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Sarcocystis were 5.6%, 0%, 1.7%, 0.7%, 2.6%, and 0%, respectively. The evolutionary relationships and genetic characteristics of G. intestinalis based on the GDH gene, Cryptosporidium based on the SSU rRNA gene, and E. bieneusi based on the ITS sequence were assessed: five cases of G. intestinalis were identified, with four belonging to assemblage F and one to zoonotic assemblage B, two Cryptosporidium cases were identified as Cryptosporidium felis, and all eight E. bieneusi cases were identified as belonging to group 1, with three cases being genotype D, three EbpA, and two EbpC.DiscussionAge, neutering status, and deworming were identified as potential risk factors. Further analysis revealed that diarrhea, as a clinical symptom, could serve as an indicator for pathogen infection. Although the pathogen infection rates detected in this study were relatively low, their zoonotic transmission potential cannot be ignored. Therefore, special attention should be paid, and it is essential to establish targeted prevention plans.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522176/fullgastrointestinal protozoapet catsprevalencezoonoticpublic health |
| spellingShingle | Hao Zhang Xing Tong Zhonghui Ma Tao Zhang Feng Wu Qiong Wu Congshan Yang Chunyang Han Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology gastrointestinal protozoa pet cats prevalence zoonotic public health |
| title | Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization |
| title_full | Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization |
| title_fullStr | Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization |
| title_full_unstemmed | Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization |
| title_short | Gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from Anhui province: prevalence and molecular characterization |
| title_sort | gastrointestinal protozoa in pet cats from anhui province prevalence and molecular characterization |
| topic | gastrointestinal protozoa pet cats prevalence zoonotic public health |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2025.1522176/full |
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