Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents

Abstract Background Pentatrichomonas hominis is a zoonotic pathogen linked to gastrointestinal diseases in various animal species and humans. However, its prevalence of in wild rodents remains unexplored. Therefore, investigating the prevalence and molecular characteristics of P. hominis in wild rod...

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Main Authors: Yan Tang, Hai-Tao Wang, Jing-Hao Li, Qing-Yu Hou, Si-Yuan Qin, He Ma, Ya Qin, Quan Zhao, Hany M. Elsheikha, Shuo Liu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-03-01
Series:BMC Veterinary Research
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04604-3
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author Yan Tang
Hai-Tao Wang
Jing-Hao Li
Qing-Yu Hou
Si-Yuan Qin
He Ma
Ya Qin
Quan Zhao
Hany M. Elsheikha
Shuo Liu
author_facet Yan Tang
Hai-Tao Wang
Jing-Hao Li
Qing-Yu Hou
Si-Yuan Qin
He Ma
Ya Qin
Quan Zhao
Hany M. Elsheikha
Shuo Liu
author_sort Yan Tang
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Pentatrichomonas hominis is a zoonotic pathogen linked to gastrointestinal diseases in various animal species and humans. However, its prevalence of in wild rodents remains unexplored. Therefore, investigating the prevalence and molecular characteristics of P. hominis in wild rodents is essential. Methods This study assessed the prevalence of P. hominis in wild rodents by analyzing 510 fecal samples using nested PCR. Statistical analysis of risk factors was performed with SAS (v9.0) and SPSS software. Results The infection rates were 18.18% (16/88) in Yunnan, 0.94% (3/319) in Hunan, and 0% (0/103) in Guangxi. Among the species, Rattus rattus sladeni had the highest infection rate at 40% (2/5), followed by R. flavipectus at 23.08% (9/39), while Niviventer lotipes (0%, 0/23) and R. losea (0%, 0/41) showed no infection. Seasonally, the highest prevalence was observed in autumn (18.18%, 16/88) and the lowest in winter (0%, 0/103). Rodents from farmland had significantly higher infection rates than mountain areas (0%, 0/103) and lakeshores (0.32%, 1/312). Although female rodents had a higher infection rate (4.62%, 11/238) compared to males (2.94%, 8/272), the difference was not statistically significant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis strains identified belonged to the zoonotic CC1 genotype. Conclusions This study is the first to describe the distribution of P. hominis in wild rodents, paving the way for further epidemiological research on this parasite in wild animals. Such research is crucial for developing strategies to protect human health from zoonotic threats from wild rodents. Graphical Abstract
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spelling doaj-art-cf10a8bbf6114f668d2f9d749e826f6f2025-08-20T02:28:08ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-03-012111810.1186/s12917-025-04604-3Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodentsYan Tang0Hai-Tao Wang1Jing-Hao Li2Qing-Yu Hou3Si-Yuan Qin4He Ma5Ya Qin6Quan Zhao7Hany M. Elsheikha8Shuo Liu9College of Pharmacy, Guizhou University of Traditional Chinese MedicineCollege of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech UniversityCenter of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland AdministrationCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCenter of Prevention and Control Biological Disaster, State Forestry and Grassland AdministrationCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityCollege of Life Sciences, Changchun Sci-Tech UniversityFaculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, University of NottinghamCollege of Veterinary Medicine, Qingdao Agricultural UniversityAbstract Background Pentatrichomonas hominis is a zoonotic pathogen linked to gastrointestinal diseases in various animal species and humans. However, its prevalence of in wild rodents remains unexplored. Therefore, investigating the prevalence and molecular characteristics of P. hominis in wild rodents is essential. Methods This study assessed the prevalence of P. hominis in wild rodents by analyzing 510 fecal samples using nested PCR. Statistical analysis of risk factors was performed with SAS (v9.0) and SPSS software. Results The infection rates were 18.18% (16/88) in Yunnan, 0.94% (3/319) in Hunan, and 0% (0/103) in Guangxi. Among the species, Rattus rattus sladeni had the highest infection rate at 40% (2/5), followed by R. flavipectus at 23.08% (9/39), while Niviventer lotipes (0%, 0/23) and R. losea (0%, 0/41) showed no infection. Seasonally, the highest prevalence was observed in autumn (18.18%, 16/88) and the lowest in winter (0%, 0/103). Rodents from farmland had significantly higher infection rates than mountain areas (0%, 0/103) and lakeshores (0.32%, 1/312). Although female rodents had a higher infection rate (4.62%, 11/238) compared to males (2.94%, 8/272), the difference was not statistically significant. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis strains identified belonged to the zoonotic CC1 genotype. Conclusions This study is the first to describe the distribution of P. hominis in wild rodents, paving the way for further epidemiological research on this parasite in wild animals. Such research is crucial for developing strategies to protect human health from zoonotic threats from wild rodents. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04604-3Pentatrichomonas hominisWild rodentsPrevalenceGenotypeChina
spellingShingle Yan Tang
Hai-Tao Wang
Jing-Hao Li
Qing-Yu Hou
Si-Yuan Qin
He Ma
Ya Qin
Quan Zhao
Hany M. Elsheikha
Shuo Liu
Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
BMC Veterinary Research
Pentatrichomonas hominis
Wild rodents
Prevalence
Genotype
China
title Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
title_full Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
title_fullStr Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
title_full_unstemmed Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
title_short Prevalence of Pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
title_sort prevalence of pentatrichomonas hominis infection in wild rodents
topic Pentatrichomonas hominis
Wild rodents
Prevalence
Genotype
China
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04604-3
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