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First detection and genotyping of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a new host species, gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus)

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Abstract

Recently, the pathogenic species of microsporidia of the genus Encephalitozoon have been detected increasingly, also in representatives of the Aves class. Our study presents laboratory proof of Encephalitozoon cuniculi (E. cuniculi) genotype II in a new host, gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus), with suspect microsporidiosis. E. cuniculi is an obligate intracellular microsporidian parasite that infects a wide range of mammalian hosts, including humans. Characterization of the internal transcribed spacer of the rRNA gene has identified three genotypes of E. cuniculi based on the number of 5′-GTTT-3′ repeats present: a genotype I from rabbits and mice, containing three repeats; a genotype II from mice and dogs, containing two repeats; and a genotype III from dogs and fox, containing four repeats. Samples of faeces from 30 gyrfalcons were examined for the presence of microsporidia spores, using microscopical, molecular methods and sequencing. Microscopic analysis showed presence of brightly fluorescing oval shapes of size 1.5 × 3 μm, characteristic of the strain Microsporidia in five samples. The PCR method, using species non-specific (530F/580R) and species-specific (ECUNR/ECUNF) primers, proved the presence of E. cuniculi spores in two samples. After sequencing were confirmed, E. cuniculi genotype II which implies new host species for this parasite.

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Acknowledgements

The study was financed by Grant VEGA Nos. 1/0108/10, 1/0263/09 and 1/0412/09 of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Slovak Republic.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Biology, Zoology and Radiobiology, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovakia

    Beata Malcekova, Alexandra Valencakova, Lenka Luptakova & Petra Ravaszova

  2. Avian and Exotic Clinic, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovakia

    Ladislav Molnar

  3. Clinic of Horses, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Komenského 73, 041 81, Košice, Slovakia

    Frantisek Novotny

Authors
  1. Beata Malcekova
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  2. Alexandra Valencakova
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  3. Lenka Luptakova
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  4. Ladislav Molnar
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  5. Petra Ravaszova
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  6. Frantisek Novotny
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Correspondence to Beata Malcekova.

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Malcekova, B., Valencakova, A., Luptakova, L. et al. First detection and genotyping of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a new host species, gyrfalcon (Falco rusticolus) . Parasitol Res 108, 1479–1482 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2202-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-010-2202-6

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