Occurrence of zoonotic Enterocytozoon bieneusi in cats in Brazil

Abstract Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an opportunistic intestinal pathogen that infects humans and a wide variety of animals worldwide. Our aim in this study was to investigate the occurrence of E. bieneusi in a domestic cat population in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Sixty fecal samples f...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Jamille Batista Faria Prado, Carlos Alberto do Nascimento Ramos, Vagner Ricardo da Silva Fiuza, Veronica Jorge Babo Terra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Colégio Brasileiro de Parasitologia Veterinaria 2019-02-01
Series:Revista Brasileira de Parasitologia Veterinária
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Online Access:http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S1984-29612019000100080&lng=en&tlng=en
Description
Summary:Abstract Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an opportunistic intestinal pathogen that infects humans and a wide variety of animals worldwide. Our aim in this study was to investigate the occurrence of E. bieneusi in a domestic cat population in Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil. Sixty fecal samples from diarrheic cats were subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the amplicons were sequenced for identification. E. bieneusi was detected in two samples (3.3%), both identified as genotype D. This genotype has already been reported in animals and humans and is considered a zoonotic genotype. Our findings represent the first report of E. bieneusi in domestic cats in Brazil, reinforcing the importance of identifying this agent as a source of infection in animals and humans.
ISSN:1984-2961