First identification and genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in pet rabbits in China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Microsporidia are common opportunistic parasites in humans and animals, including rabbits. However, only limited epidemiology data concern about the prevalence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in rabbits. This study is the first detection and genotyping of Microsporidia in pet rabbits in China.

Results

A total of 584 faecal specimens were collected from rabbits in pet shops from four cities in Sichuan province, China. The overall prevalence of microsporidia infection was 24.8% by nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. respectively. E. bieneusi was the most common species (n = 90, 15.4%), followed by Encephalitozoon cuniculi (n = 34, 5.8%) and Enceph

SUBMITTER: Deng L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7310219 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature