Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology

Abstract Background Trypanosoma dionisii, one of several species that parasitizes Chiroptera worldwide, was first reported in a 30 year-old pregnant woman in China. It is important to improve our understanding of ecological and epidemiological patterns to identify potential transmission vectors and...

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Main Authors: Qin Liu, Mu-xin Chen, Yu-chun Cai, Yuan-yuan Li, Zi-yi Wang, Yun-hai Guo, Yu-wan Hao, Jing-bo Xue, Yi-dan Jing, Fan-na Wei, Yong-bin Wang, Yue-jin Li, Hai-fang Wang, Jun-ling Sun, Ya-li Wang, Gang Wang, Na Wang, Nai-li Guo, Jian-cun Fang, Wei-xiao Chen, Xun-ming Zhou, Yang Yu, Yi Zhang, Jun-hu Chen, Qiang Wang, Shi-zhu Li, Ge Yan, Qun Li
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-025-01336-2
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author Qin Liu
Mu-xin Chen
Yu-chun Cai
Yuan-yuan Li
Zi-yi Wang
Yun-hai Guo
Yu-wan Hao
Jing-bo Xue
Yi-dan Jing
Fan-na Wei
Yong-bin Wang
Yue-jin Li
Hai-fang Wang
Jun-ling Sun
Ya-li Wang
Gang Wang
Na Wang
Nai-li Guo
Jian-cun Fang
Wei-xiao Chen
Xun-ming Zhou
Yang Yu
Yi Zhang
Jun-hu Chen
Qiang Wang
Shi-zhu Li
Ge Yan
Qun Li
author_facet Qin Liu
Mu-xin Chen
Yu-chun Cai
Yuan-yuan Li
Zi-yi Wang
Yun-hai Guo
Yu-wan Hao
Jing-bo Xue
Yi-dan Jing
Fan-na Wei
Yong-bin Wang
Yue-jin Li
Hai-fang Wang
Jun-ling Sun
Ya-li Wang
Gang Wang
Na Wang
Nai-li Guo
Jian-cun Fang
Wei-xiao Chen
Xun-ming Zhou
Yang Yu
Yi Zhang
Jun-hu Chen
Qiang Wang
Shi-zhu Li
Ge Yan
Qun Li
author_sort Qin Liu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Trypanosoma dionisii, one of several species that parasitizes Chiroptera worldwide, was first reported in a 30 year-old pregnant woman in China. It is important to improve our understanding of ecological and epidemiological patterns to identify potential transmission vectors and to estimate the risk of T. dionisii infection in the local population as well as in various species of domestic and wild animals. Methods We performed an ecological survey with epidemiological features in the area where the first T. dionisii case was found, including parasitological and serological tests and local demographic information for six surrounding villages. Sylvatic and domestic mammals and potential vector organisms in the same locality were investigated by nested-PCR for Trypanosoma and the phylogenetic analysis was performed. Results A total of 241 samples from the local population were screened for trypanosomiasis by parasitological and serological tests with no positive cases identified. However, 11 out of 18 bats collected from the village tested positively for Trypanosoma spp. by microscopy and nested-PCR, while 9 were positive for T. dionisii and 2 for T. vespertilionis. With regard to cats, 5 from a pet hospital in local showed 3 were co-infected with of T. dionisii and T. vespertilionis, and one having T. dionisii only, as well as one of the 29 animals examined was found infected with T. vespertilionis. Other animals seemed even less affected as all 163 blood samples collected from livestock and poultry, such as cows, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese, tested negative. Also 35 mosquito and mite pools tested negatively, while 4 out of 30 tick pools tested positive by nested-PCR with their sequences close to T. conorhini. Conclusions The survey indicates that a natural epidemic foci of T. dionisii, exists in Dongying Region, Shandong Province, China. Although no evidence of a high risk for human epidemic was found, the widespread presence of this parasites in bat species and a relatively high infection rate observed in the surveyed cats and dogs emphasize the emerging threat it poses to human health. Further surveillance and analysis are warranted to evaluate the transmission risk. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-568285a024b7472487511ef379b4b2ec2025-08-20T03:46:12ZengBMCInfectious Diseases of Poverty2049-99572025-07-0114111110.1186/s40249-025-01336-2Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiologyQin Liu0Mu-xin Chen1Yu-chun Cai2Yuan-yuan Li3Zi-yi Wang4Yun-hai Guo5Yu-wan Hao6Jing-bo Xue7Yi-dan Jing8Fan-na Wei9Yong-bin Wang10Yue-jin Li11Hai-fang Wang12Jun-ling Sun13Ya-li Wang14Gang Wang15Na Wang16Nai-li Guo17Jian-cun Fang18Wei-xiao Chen19Xun-ming Zhou20Yang Yu21Yi Zhang22Jun-hu Chen23Qiang Wang24Shi-zhu Li25Ge Yan26Qun Li27National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyShandong Institute of Parasitic Disease, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)Shandong Institute of Parasitic Disease, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)Shandong Institute of Parasitic Disease, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionDepartment of Infectious Disease, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong UniversityDisease Control and Prevention Center of Dongying CityDisease Control and Prevention Center of Dongying CityDisease Control and Prevention Center of Dongying CityKey Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesKey Laboratory of Animal Ecology and Conservation Biology, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of SciencesSchool of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of ChinaNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyNational Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases; National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research; NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology; WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases; National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Ministry of Science and TechnologyShandong Institute of Parasitic Disease, Shandong First Medical University (Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences)National Key Laboratory of Intelligent Tracking and Forecasting for Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and PreventionAbstract Background Trypanosoma dionisii, one of several species that parasitizes Chiroptera worldwide, was first reported in a 30 year-old pregnant woman in China. It is important to improve our understanding of ecological and epidemiological patterns to identify potential transmission vectors and to estimate the risk of T. dionisii infection in the local population as well as in various species of domestic and wild animals. Methods We performed an ecological survey with epidemiological features in the area where the first T. dionisii case was found, including parasitological and serological tests and local demographic information for six surrounding villages. Sylvatic and domestic mammals and potential vector organisms in the same locality were investigated by nested-PCR for Trypanosoma and the phylogenetic analysis was performed. Results A total of 241 samples from the local population were screened for trypanosomiasis by parasitological and serological tests with no positive cases identified. However, 11 out of 18 bats collected from the village tested positively for Trypanosoma spp. by microscopy and nested-PCR, while 9 were positive for T. dionisii and 2 for T. vespertilionis. With regard to cats, 5 from a pet hospital in local showed 3 were co-infected with of T. dionisii and T. vespertilionis, and one having T. dionisii only, as well as one of the 29 animals examined was found infected with T. vespertilionis. Other animals seemed even less affected as all 163 blood samples collected from livestock and poultry, such as cows, sheep, chickens, ducks and geese, tested negative. Also 35 mosquito and mite pools tested negatively, while 4 out of 30 tick pools tested positive by nested-PCR with their sequences close to T. conorhini. Conclusions The survey indicates that a natural epidemic foci of T. dionisii, exists in Dongying Region, Shandong Province, China. Although no evidence of a high risk for human epidemic was found, the widespread presence of this parasites in bat species and a relatively high infection rate observed in the surveyed cats and dogs emphasize the emerging threat it poses to human health. Further surveillance and analysis are warranted to evaluate the transmission risk. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-025-01336-2Human trypanosomiasisTrypanosoma dionisiiTrypanosoma vespertilionisCo-infectionBatsCompanion animals
spellingShingle Qin Liu
Mu-xin Chen
Yu-chun Cai
Yuan-yuan Li
Zi-yi Wang
Yun-hai Guo
Yu-wan Hao
Jing-bo Xue
Yi-dan Jing
Fan-na Wei
Yong-bin Wang
Yue-jin Li
Hai-fang Wang
Jun-ling Sun
Ya-li Wang
Gang Wang
Na Wang
Nai-li Guo
Jian-cun Fang
Wei-xiao Chen
Xun-ming Zhou
Yang Yu
Yi Zhang
Jun-hu Chen
Qiang Wang
Shi-zhu Li
Ge Yan
Qun Li
Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
Infectious Diseases of Poverty
Human trypanosomiasis
Trypanosoma dionisii
Trypanosoma vespertilionis
Co-infection
Bats
Companion animals
title Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
title_full Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
title_fullStr Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
title_full_unstemmed Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
title_short Trypanosoma dionisii in China: ecology and tentative epidemiology
title_sort trypanosoma dionisii in china ecology and tentative epidemiology
topic Human trypanosomiasis
Trypanosoma dionisii
Trypanosoma vespertilionis
Co-infection
Bats
Companion animals
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s40249-025-01336-2
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