Are molecular tools clarifying or confusing our understanding of the public health threat from zoonotic enteric protozoa in wildlife?

ABSTRACT: Emerging infectious diseases are frequently zoonotic, often originating in wildlife, but enteric protozoa are considered relatively minor contributors. Opinions regarding whether pathogenic enteric protozoa may be transmitted between wildlife and humans have been shaped by our investigation tools, and have led to oscillations regarding whether particular species are zoonotic or have host-adapted life cycles. When the only approach for identifying enteric protozoa was morphology, it was assumed that many enteric protozoa colonized multiple hosts and were probably zoonotic. When molecular tools revealed genetic differences in morphologically identical species colonizing humans and other animals, host specificity seemed more likely. Parasites from animals found to be genetically identical - a

SUBMITTER: Robertson LJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6626983 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature