Epidemiological Investigation Of Intestinal Parasites In Dogs And Cats In Guangzhou And Genotypes Identification Of Three Intestinal Protozoa

Dogs and cats are the most frequently contacted animals with humans.Zoonotic parasites in dogs and cats are an important source of infection that are easily exposed to humans.In this study,the epidemiological survey of intestinal parasites of dogs and cats in Guangzhou,Guangdong Province was carried out to clarify the infection of intestinal parasites of dogs and cats from different sources in the region.At the same time,the genotypes or species of Giardia duodenalis,Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were identified to provide basic information for the risk assessment of zoonosis of the three intestinal protozoa.1.Epidemiological investigation of intestinal parasites in dogs and cats.Zinc sulfate centrifugal floating method was used to detect intestinal parasites in 1040 feces of dogs and cats(651 dogs and 389 cats)from different sources in Guangzhou.At the same time,common intestinal protozoa of dogs and cats were detected by PCR.Microscopic results showed that the infection rates of intestinal parasites was 29.7%,18.3%,3.0% and 3.4%,respectively in pet market,rescue station for stray dogs and cats,animal hospital and breeding base.The infection rates of coccidia,hookworm,roundworm and tapeworm was 6.8%,3.4%,3.4% and 0.5%,respectively.The results of PCR showed that the infection rate of intestinal protozoa in pet markets,rescue stations for stray dogs and cats,animal hospitals and breeding bases was 89%,82.8%,68.3% and 65.0%,respectively.The infection rates of intestinal protozoa in dogs and cats were 2.9%(Giardia duodenalis),0.7%(Cryptosporidium spp.),22.2%(Enterocytozoon bieneusi),45.0%(Cystoisospora spp.),4.4%(Hammondia),14.4%(Blastocystis),2.6%(Toxoplasma),6.3%(Pentatrichomonas hominis),7.8%(Trichomonas foetus)and 1.1%(Cyclosporidium spp.),respectively.The results indicated that the infection rate of intestinal parasites of dogs and cats in pet market and rescue stations of stray dogs and cats was significantly higher than that in breeding bases and animal hospitals.2.Genotype identification of three important intestinal protozoa.30 isolates of Giardia duodenalis in dogs and cats were genotyped based on the GDH gene sequence of G.duodenalis,five assemblages of A,B,C,D and F were identified.The genotypes of G.duodenalis in dog isolates were C(n=5),D(n=14)and F(n=1),and the genotypes of G.duodenalis in cat isolates were A(n=1),B(n=4)and F(n=5).Seven isolates of Cryptosporidium in dogs and cats were detected based on the SSU r RNA sequence of Cryptosporidium.Cryptosporidium parvum(n=2)were identified in Cryptosporidium canine isolates,and Cryptosporidium felis(n=5)were identified in Cryptosporidium feline isolates.Two hundred and twenty-eight isolates of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs and cats were genotyped based on ITS sequence.Thirteen genotypes were identified,including six reported genotypes Pt Eb IX(n=162),D(n=6),004-52(n=6),Ebp C(n=1),I(n=2)and WW8(n=1),and seven newly discovered genotypes,tentatively named SC8(n=44),YD38(n=1),LHC36(n=1),LHD7(n=1),YC16(n=1),YD109(n=1)and FD90(n=1).The zoonotic species or genotypes have been found in the three protozoans investigated,indicating that Giardia duodenalis,Cryptosporidium spp.and Enterocytozoon bieneusi from dogs and cats in Guangzhou have potential zoonotic risks.