Prevalence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and a new Enterocytozoon sp. in pet hairless guinea pigs (Cavia porcellus) from China.

ABSTRACT: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, the most common microsporidian species, has been detected in humans and a variety of animals worldwide. However, limited information is available on the prevalence and molecular characterization of this parasite in guinea pigs. In this study, we conducted the first investigation of E. bieneusi infection in hairless guinea pigs recently introduced into China as new exotic pets. A total of 324 fecal samples were collected from hairless guinea pigs from a pet market and four breeding facilities in China. Sequence alignment of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) revealed an infection rate of 14.2% (46/324) and two known ITS genotypes, S7 and PGP. Genotype S7 was the dominant genotype in these animals (42/46, 91.3%). Due to significant ITS sequence divergence, four an

SUBMITTER: Lv C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10510651 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature