Molecular Characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Domestic Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Northeastern China |
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| Authors: | Xiao-Xuan Zhang Jing Jiang Ya-Nan Cai Chun-Feng Wang Peng Xu Gui-Lian Yang Quan Zhao |
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| Institution: | 1.College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Provincial Engineering Research Center of Animal Probiotics, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun, Jilin Province 130118, PR China;2.College of Animal Science and Technology, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Shuangyang, Jilin Province 130600, PR China;3.College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, Liaoning Medical University, Jinzhou, Liaoning Province 121001, PR China |
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| Abstract: | A study of 426 rabbits from 3 cities in Jilin province (Changchun City and Jilin City) and Liaoning province (Shenyang City) was conducted between May and June 2015. The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in rabbits was 0.94% (4/426), with 0% (0/116), 1.72% (3/174), and 0.74% (1/136) in Jilin, Changchun, and Shenyang City, respectively. Only 3 farms (farm 1 and farm 3 in Changchun City, farm 8 in Shenyang City) were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi. Moreover, rabbits of more than 6 months (1.72%) had the highest E. bieneusi prevalence, followed by rabbits of 4-6 months (1.26%), 2-3 months (0.58%), and less than 1 month (0%). Analysis of ITS gene of E. bieneusi suggested that all 4 E. bieneusi isolates were genotype D, and were classified as group 1a. The present results first demonstrated the existence of zoonotic E. bieneusi in domestic rabbits in China. Effective control measures should be implemented to prevent E. bieneusi infection in domestic rabbits, other animals, and humans. |
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| Keywords: | Encephalitozoon bieneusi domestic rabbit prevalence internal transcribed spacer (ITS) China |
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