Abstract
Microsporidia is a group of spore-forming microorganisms with zoonotic potential. This study aimed to compare intestinal microsporidia infections in cat owners and non-pet owners. In total, 210 fecal samples were collected from indoor cats, cat owners, and non-pet owners. DNA extraction was performed and the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene was amplified. To characterize the genotypes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) fragment was amplified and sequenced. The phylogenetic trees were drawn to evaluate the relationship among Enterocytozoon bieneusi isolates. Two (2.9%) and one (1.4%) fecal samples from cat owners and one (1.4%) and two (2.9%) fecal samples from non-pet owners were positive for E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis, respectively. E. bieneusi was detected in two cat samples (2.9%). Same infection was not seen between infected cats and their owners. There was no significant difference between the prevalence rate of microsporidia among the cat owners and non-pet owners. Indeed, the genotypes L and type IV were seen in cats, while the genotype D was only detected in human. In this study, E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis were more prevalent among the cat owners and non-pet owners, respectively. Indeed, the higher prevalence of E. bieneusi in cats and their owners might be resulted from the worldwide distribution of this species.
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Abbreviations
- SSU:
-
small subunit
- rRNA:
-
ribosomal RNA
- ITS:
-
internal transcribed spacer
- TEM:
-
transmission electron microscopy
- IFA:
-
immunofluorescence assays
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Acknowledgments
The authors wish to thank Small Animal Teaching Hospital staff of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
Funding
This study was funded by the University of Tehran, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine.
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SMV, SJ, and SB presented the idea of the study and designed the study. SMV performed the sampling. SMV, IAT, EJ, and HM were in charge of the laboratory analyses. SB performed the statistical analyses. SMV and HM performed BLAST and phylogenetic analyses. SMV, IAT, SJ, and PS drafted the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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Vahedi, S.M., Jamshidi, S., Shayan, P. et al. Intestinal microsporidia infection among cat owners and non-pet owners in Iran: a case-control study. Parasitol Res 119, 1903–1913 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06690-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-020-06690-8