Infection And Genotype Distribution Of Cryptosporidium Spp.,Giardia Duodenalis And Enterocytozoon Bieneusi In Companion Animals In Shanghai, China

Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are important zoonotic pathogens. Dogs and cats are important hosts of these protist pathogens, but controversies still exist on the potential role of companion animals in the transmission of enteric pathogens in humans. Up to date, there are only a few molecular epidemiological surveys of these pathogens in dogs or cats in China. The present study was conducted to examine the genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium spp., Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Giardia duodenalis in companion animals in Shanghai, China, and to assess their zoonotic potential.A total of 645 fecal specimens were obtained from dogs and cats in urban areas of Shanghai, including 485 specimens from dogs in a veterinary clinic, pet shops and households, and 160 specimens from cats in pet shops and an animal shelter. All fecal specimens were examined for the occurrence and genotype distribution of the three pathogens by PCR and DNA sequencing. The x2 test was used to compare differences in infection rates between living conditions or age groups.Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi were found in 39 (8.0%),29 (6.0%) and 127 (26.2%) of dogs, and 6 (3.8%),9 (5.6%) and 21 (13.1%) of cats, respectively. The results of x2 test suggested that infection rates of the pathogens in dogs from pet shops and a clinic were higher than those in household dogs, and higher in cats from one animal shelter than from pet shops. No significant differences in infection rates were detected among age groups. These results suggested that overcrowding and insufficient sanitary control in veterinary clinics and pet shops may be risk factors in the transmission of these pathogens in pet dog. Cryptosporidium canis and C. felis were the only Cryptosporidium species found in dogs and cats, respectively. Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes PtEb IX and D were found in dogs and PtEb IX was the dominant genotype, whereas Type IV and D were the most common ones in cats. Multi-locus sequence typing revealed the presence of G. duodenalis assemblages A (zoonotic subtype A2), B, C, and D in dogs with C and D as dominant ones, and assemblages A, B, C, D, and F in cats with B and F as dominant ones. The zoonotic species and genotypes of C. canis and C. felis, E. bieneusi genotypes Type â…£ and D, and G. duodenalis assemblages A and B found in companion animals in this study suggested that pet animals could be potential reservoirs for human infections of these pathogens. In addition,the different distribution of pathogen species and genotypes between dogs and cats suggested that inter-species transmission of these pathogens is probably rare in the study area.These results will be helpful in making effective prevention and control strategies of these enteric diseases in humans and animals.