Extensive prevalence and significant genetic differentiation of Blastocystis in high- and low-altitude populations of wild rhesus macaques in China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Blastocystis is a common intestinal protist with a wide range of hosts. Thus far, 38 subtypes have been identified. In recent years, wild animals have been confronted with habitat fragmentation as well as an increasing risk of zoonotic disease transmission due to human disturbance. Only limited data are available on Blastocystis infection and subtype distribution in wild rhesus macaques in China. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence and genetic diversity of Blastocystis in nine wild rhesus macaque populations in China.

Methods

A total of 276 faecal samples were collected from five high-altitude populations (high-altitude group [HAG]; 2800-4100 m a.s.l.) and four low-altitude populations (low-altitude group [LAG]; 5-1000 m a.s.l) of rhesus

SUBMITTER: Yu M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10022093 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature