Epidemiology, molecular characterization, and risk factors of Acanthamoeba spp., Blastocystis spp., and Cyclospora spp. infections in snakes in China

IF 2.2 2区农林科学 Q2 PARASITOLOGY Veterinary parasitology Pub Date : 2025-04-01 Epub Date: 2025-02-13 DOI:10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110420

Yilei Zhang , Zhouchun Li , Xinyuan Wang, Kaili Gao, Lijie Tian, Olalekan Opeyemi Ayanniyi, Qianming Xu, Congshan Yang

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Abstract

Snakes are widely farmed in China for medicinal purposes and as pets worldwide. Acanthamoeba spp., Blastocystis spp., and Cyclospora spp. are significant zoonotic pathogens frequently discovered in various animals, causing diseases with global public health implications. However, their prevalence and zoonotic potential in snakes remain poorly understood. In this study, 812 snake faecal samples were collected across 28 China provinces. The partial small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to assess evolutionary relationships and genetic characterization. Detection rates for Acanthamoeba spp., Blastocystis spp., and Cyclospora spp. were 6.40 %, 3.33 %, and 2.71 %, respectively. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed that Cyclospora isolates were closely related to those found in humans and cattle. Subtyping for Blastocystis species identified two zoonotic subtypes (ST4, ST6) and four host-specific subtypes (ST10, ST15, ST21, ST42). Multiple Acanthamoeba genotypes were detected, including T4, T11, and T13. Furthermore, species, age, and living conditions are key risk factors. This study provides valuable insights into these infections in snakes and underscores the need for proper hygiene and One Health measures to reduce zoonotic transmission and environmental contamination.

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中国蛇类棘阿米巴、囊虫和环孢子虫感染的流行病学、分子特征及危险因素

蛇在中国被广泛饲养，用于药用，在世界范围内被当作宠物。棘阿米巴、囊虫和环孢子虫是重要的人畜共患病原体，经常在各种动物中发现，引起具有全球公共卫生影响的疾病。然而，它们在蛇中的流行程度和人畜共患的可能性仍然知之甚少。本研究在中国28个省收集了812份蛇粪便样本。采用聚合酶链反应（PCR）扩增部分小亚单位（SSU） rRNA基因，以评估进化关系和遗传特征。棘阿米巴、囊虫和环孢子虫的检出率分别为6.40 %、3.33 %和2.71 %。测序和系统发育分析表明，分离的环孢子虫与人类和牛的环孢子虫密切相关。囊虫亚型鉴定出2种人畜共患亚型（ST4、ST6）和4种宿主特异性亚型（ST10、ST15、ST21、ST42）。检测到多种棘阿米巴基因型，包括T4、T11和T13。此外，物种、年龄和生活条件是关键的危险因素。这项研究为蛇的这些感染提供了有价值的见解，并强调了适当的卫生和“同一个健康”措施的必要性，以减少人畜共患病的传播和环境污染。

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来源期刊

Veterinary parasitology 农林科学-寄生虫学

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

7.70%

发文量

126

审稿时长

36 days

期刊介绍： The journal Veterinary Parasitology has an open access mirror journal,Veterinary Parasitology: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. This journal is concerned with those aspects of helminthology, protozoology and entomology which are of interest to animal health investigators, veterinary practitioners and others with a special interest in parasitology. Papers of the highest quality dealing with all aspects of disease prevention, pathology, treatment, epidemiology, and control of parasites in all domesticated animals, fall within the scope of the journal. Papers of geographically limited (local) interest which are not of interest to an international audience will not be accepted. Authors who submit papers based on local data will need to indicate why their paper is relevant to a broader readership. Parasitological studies on laboratory animals fall within the scope of the journal only if they provide a reasonably close model of a disease of domestic animals. Additionally the journal will consider papers relating to wildlife species where they may act as disease reservoirs to domestic animals, or as a zoonotic reservoir. Case studies considered to be unique or of specific interest to the journal, will also be considered on occasions at the Editors'' discretion. Papers dealing exclusively with the taxonomy of parasites do not fall within the scope of the journal.