Molecular Detection and Identification of Zoonotic Microsporidia Spore in Fecal Samples of Some Animals with Close-Contact to Human

Overview

Journal Iran J Parasitol

Publisher Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Specialty Parasitology

Date 2015 Dec 2

PMID 26622293

Citations 20

Authors

Zeinab Askari

Hamed Mirjalali

Mehdi Mohebali

Zabih Zarei

Saeideh Shojaei

Tahereh Rezaeian

Mostafa Rezaeian

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Microsporidia species are obligatory intracellular agents that can infect all major animal groups including mammals, birds, fishes and insects. Whereas worldwide human infection reports are increasing, the cognition of sources of infection particularly zoonotic transmission could be helpful. We aimed to detect zoonotic microsporidia spore in fecal samples from some animals with close - contact to human.

Methods: Overall, 142 fecal samples were collected from animals with closed-contact to human, during 2012-2013. Trichrome - blue staining were performed and DNA was then extracted from samples, identified positive, microscopically. Nested PCR was also carried out with primers targeting SSU rRNA gene and PCR products were sequenced.

Results: From 142 stool samples, microsporidia spores have been observed microscopically in 15 (10.56%) samples. En. cuniculi was found in the faces of 3 (15%) small white mice and 1 (10%) laboratory rabbits(totally 2.81%). Moreover, E. bieneusi was detected in 3 (10%) samples of sheep, 2 (5.12%) cattle, 1 (10%) rabbit, 3 (11.53%) cats and 2 (11.76%) ownership dogs (totally 7.74%). Phylogenetic analysis showed interesting data. This is the first study in Iran, which identified E. bieneusi and En. Cuniculi in fecal samples of laboratory animals with close - contact to human as well as domesticated animal and analyzed them in phylogenetic tree.

Conclusion: E. bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidia species in animals. Our results can also alert us about potentially zoonotic transmission of microsporidiosis.

Citing Articles

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Detection and molecular characterization of Blastocystis sp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia duodenalis in asymptomatic animals in southeastern Iran.

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