Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China

Abstract Background Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant zoonotic protozoa causing gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. However, their prevalence and genotypic characterization in ostriches (Struthio camelus) remain poorly understood. This...

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Main Authors: Qing Dong, Chaoqun Liang, Chao Tian, Xiangbo Ji, Yankai Chang, Haiyan Wang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-02-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04511-7
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author Qing Dong
Chaoqun Liang
Chao Tian
Xiangbo Ji
Yankai Chang
Haiyan Wang
author_facet Qing Dong
Chaoqun Liang
Chao Tian
Xiangbo Ji
Yankai Chang
Haiyan Wang
author_sort Qing Dong
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant zoonotic protozoa causing gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. However, their prevalence and genotypic characterization in ostriches (Struthio camelus) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of these parasites in farmed ostriches by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou City, central China. A total of 156 fecal samples were collected and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the prevalence and assess the potential epidemiological roles of ostriches in transmission. Results The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi was 2.56% (4/156), 1.28% (2/156) and 12.2% (19/156), respectively. C. baileyi and G. duodenalis assemblage B were identified in ostriches. Six E. bieneusi genotypes were identified in this study, comprising four previously reported genotypes (EbpA, EbpC, Henan-IV, and Type IV) and two novel genotypes (designated as COW1 and COW2, which differed from known genotypes by two single nucleotide polymorphisms). Among these, EbpC was identified as the predominant genotype. All six genotypes were phylogenetically assigned to zoonotic group 1. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ostriches harbor zoonotic genotypes of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, indicating they may serve as potential reservoirs for human infection. This underscores the need for effective control measures to prevent environmental contamination and reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals.
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spelling doaj-art-2f9d88835e6c42569481b4881e171edd2025-08-20T02:15:08ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-02-012111910.1186/s12917-025-04511-7Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central ChinaQing Dong0Chaoqun Liang1Chao Tian2Xiangbo Ji3Yankai Chang4Haiyan Wang5College of Animal Veterinary Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and EconomyHenan Yinji Jiabao Amusement park Management Co., LTDInstitute of Pet Technology, Henan Vocational College of AgricultureCollege of Animal Veterinary Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and EconomyCollege of Animal Veterinary Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and EconomyCollege of Animal Veterinary Medicine, Henan University of Animal Husbandry and EconomyAbstract Background Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant zoonotic protozoa causing gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. However, their prevalence and genotypic characterization in ostriches (Struthio camelus) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of these parasites in farmed ostriches by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou City, central China. A total of 156 fecal samples were collected and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the prevalence and assess the potential epidemiological roles of ostriches in transmission. Results The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi was 2.56% (4/156), 1.28% (2/156) and 12.2% (19/156), respectively. C. baileyi and G. duodenalis assemblage B were identified in ostriches. Six E. bieneusi genotypes were identified in this study, comprising four previously reported genotypes (EbpA, EbpC, Henan-IV, and Type IV) and two novel genotypes (designated as COW1 and COW2, which differed from known genotypes by two single nucleotide polymorphisms). Among these, EbpC was identified as the predominant genotype. All six genotypes were phylogenetically assigned to zoonotic group 1. Conclusions Our findings suggest that ostriches harbor zoonotic genotypes of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, indicating they may serve as potential reservoirs for human infection. This underscores the need for effective control measures to prevent environmental contamination and reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04511-7Cryptosporidium spp.Giardia duodenalisEnterocytozoon bieneusiOstrichGenotypePotential zoonotic
spellingShingle Qing Dong
Chaoqun Liang
Chao Tian
Xiangbo Ji
Yankai Chang
Haiyan Wang
Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
BMC Veterinary Research
Cryptosporidium spp.
Giardia duodenalis
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Ostrich
Genotype
Potential zoonotic
title Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
title_full Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
title_fullStr Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
title_short Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches (Struthio camelus) by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou city, central China
title_sort prevalence and genotypic identification of cryptosporidium spp giardia duodenalis and enterocytozoon bieneusi in farmed ostriches struthio camelus by the yellow river in zhengzhou city central china
topic Cryptosporidium spp.
Giardia duodenalis
Enterocytozoon bieneusi
Ostrich
Genotype
Potential zoonotic
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04511-7
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