Liu Xuehan, Zhang Shanshan, Dong Haiju, Wang Rongjun, Zhang Longxian, Ge Yaming
Postdoctoral Research Base, Henan Institute of Science and Technology, 453003 Xinxiang, Henan, China.
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, 450002 Zhengzhou, Henan, China.
J Parasitol. 2021 Sep 1;107(5):790-793. doi: 10.1645/19-72.
This study is the first description of Blastocystis infection in peafowls in China. In total, 143 fecal specimens collected from a peafowl breeding farm in Henan Province were tested for Blastocystis infection by PCR assay targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, and a total of 50 specimens (35.0%) were positive. Based on sequences and phylogenetic analysis, 2 genetically distinct subtypes (STs) were determined: ST9 and ST7. ST9 was the predominant subtype, accounting for 82% (41/50). The rare zoonotic subtype ST7 was also identified in peafowls, with the infection rate of 18% (9/50). Altogether, the present study is the first report of the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Blastocystis in peafowls in central China. The presence of zoonotic subtypes in peafowls suggests the potential risk of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis to workers at peafowl farms.
本研究首次描述了中国孔雀的芽囊原虫感染情况。从河南省一个孔雀养殖场采集了143份粪便样本，通过针对小亚基核糖体RNA（SSU rRNA）基因的聚合酶链反应（PCR）检测芽囊原虫感染情况，共有50份样本（35.0%）呈阳性。基于序列和系统发育分析，确定了2种基因不同的亚型（STs）：ST9和ST7。ST9是主要亚型，占82%（41/50）。在孔雀中还鉴定出了罕见的人兽共患亚型ST7，感染率为18%（9/50）。总之，本研究首次报道了中国中部地区孔雀芽囊原虫的流行情况和分子特征。孔雀中存在人兽共患亚型表明芽囊原虫向孔雀养殖场工人进行人兽共患传播的潜在风险。
