Skip to main content
ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Environmental Microbial & Food Safety Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322107
Title: Widespread presence of human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes in chickens

Author
item DA CUNHA, MARIA - Us Forest Service (FS)
item CURY, MARCIA - Federal University - Brazil
item Santin-Duran, Monica

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/21/2015
Publication Date: 2/15/2016
Citation: Da Cunha, M.J., Cury, M.C, Santin, M. 2016. Widespread presence of human-pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in chickens. Veterinary Parasitology. 217:108-112.

Interpretive Summary: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most prevalent microsporidian species associated with human disease. This parasite has been identified in water as well as in wild, domestic and food-producing farm animals, raising concerns of water-borne, food-borne and zoonotic transmission. In the present study molecular tools were used to test chickens for the presence of E. bieneusi. Fecal specimens were obtained from 151 chickens at local markets in Uberlandia and Belo in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in 24 fecal samples (15.9%). This represents the first report of E. bieneusi in chickens in Brazil. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced and 4 genotypes were identified, Peru 6, Peru 11, Type IV, and D. All four genotypes have previously been reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic. Our results demonstrated that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes are present in chickens in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.

Technical Abstract: A total of 151 fecal specimens from chickens were randomly collected from local markets in Uberlandia and Belo in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in 24 fecal samples (15.9%). This represents the first report of E. bieneusi in chickens in Brazil. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced and 4 genotypes were identified, Peru 6, Peru 11, Type IV, and D. All four genotypes have previously been reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic. Our results demonstrated that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes are present in chickens in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.