Microsporidia are among the most common microparasites of cladocerans and have potentially significant impact on host populations. However, many of these pathogens are known only from molecular-based studies. We provide ultrastructural data supported by molecular phylogeny for a common microsporidium infecting the Daphnia longispina complex, important planktonic filter-feeders in reservoirs and ponds in the temperate Holarctic region. This parasite, previously characterized only by molecular means, infects adipose cells around the Daphnia midgut and eventually fills the centre of the host body with ovoid-shaped spores. A new microsporidian genus and species belonging to the Agglomeratidae superclade is described as Pseudoberwaldia daphniae gen. et sp. nov. Molecular data indicate its widespread presence in Central European reservoirs (reported as isolate "MIC1") but also in Swedish coastal rockpools ("Ängskärs-klubben"). The most closely related lineage was reported from a caddisfly larva; we thus speculate that this taxon may have an insect secondary host in its life cycle. Morphological characterization and differential diagnosis of most commonly encountered microsporidian taxa infecting hosts in the D. longispina complex in Europe opens new possibilities for studies of their ecological and evolutionary interactions.
- MeSH
- Daphnia microbiology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Classification MeSH
- Microsporidia classification MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal MeSH
- Life Cycle Stages MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Europe MeSH
Microsporidia (Opisthosporidia, Microsporidia) are frequent parasites of planktonic cladocerans, including Daphnia (Crustacea, Branchiopoda). Analysis of available molecular data (ITS region and partial ssu and lsu rDNA) of these parasites indicates that many microsporidia infecting daphnids have a common ancestor and represent a large clade, which splits during evolution into a number of well supported subclades. These subclades are cytologically different but may be most conveniently characterised by their specific ITS barcode. We have analysed one of these subclades and we describe a new microsporidian genus and species combination, and assemble a large group of structurally indistinguishable microsporidian parasites that infect adipose cells of their hosts and form pyriform spores of a certain type ("obtuse spores"). Obtuse spores are non-infectious by feeding to their crustacean hosts and it is plausible that microsporidia forming them actually are parasites of insects with aquatic larval stages, with an obligate two-host life cycle, analogous to the Amblyospora life cycle involving copepods and mosquitoes.
- MeSH
- Daphnia parasitology MeSH
- DNA, Fungal analysis MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Microsporidia classification genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
This study investigated the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic concerns of microsporidia in household dogs and cats in Poland. A total of 126 (82 dogs and 44 cats) fecal specimens were analyzed for the presence of specific DNA of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. using a nested PCR protocol amplifying the internal transcribed spacer region of the rRNA gene. Microsporidia were found in 10 (7.9%) out of the 126 examined stool samples. Of the 82 dogs, 4 (4.9%) and 2 (2.4%) were positive for E. bieneusi (genotypes D and PtEbIX) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype II, respectively. Of the 44 cats, 4 (9.1%) were positive for E. bieneusi (genotypes PtEbIX and eb52). Additionally, one cat (2.3%) was concurrently infected with E. bieneusi (PtEbIX) and E. cuniculi (genotype II). Considering that all detected microsporidia in dogs and cats have been previously associated with human microsporidiosis, companion animals may be a potential source of microsporidia infections in humans.
- MeSH
- Cats MeSH
- Microsporidia classification MeSH
- Microsporidiosis epidemiology parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Cat Diseases epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Dog Diseases epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Dogs MeSH
- Zoonoses * MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Cats MeSH
- Dogs MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Poland epidemiology MeSH
Structural, molecular and life cycle data are presented for two microsporidian species of the genus Berwaldia: B. singularis Larsson, 1981 (type species of the genus) and B. schaefernai Vávra and Larsson, 1994, parasites of Daphnia pulex Leydig, 1860 and Daphnia galeata Sars, 1863, respectively. Analysis of the SSU rDNA gene confirmed the species status of both species and showed that the GenBank sequence data submitted previously in GenBank for the genus Berwaldia, are from microsporidia that are not Berwaldia. Correct SSU rDNA gene sequences for B. schaefernai and B. singularis are now deposited in GenBank. The life cycle of these two species appears incomplete as the spores collected from their respective infected hosts will not infect the same host when fed per os. B. schaefernai appears as a frequent parasite of Daphnia longispina/galeata complex daphnids, influencing the behaviour of the infected host. In addition, two new species, of Berwaldia, one infecting fat body tissues of Daphnia longispina/galeata complex, and the other, infecting hypodermis and fat cells of Simocephalus vetulus (O. F. Müller, 1776) are described.
- MeSH
- Daphnia parasitology MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Microsporidia classification cytology genetics MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal genetics MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Transplant recipients have been identified as a new risk group for microsporidia infection. We characterize for the first time the prevalence of microsporidia in intestinal and urinary tracts of renal transplant recipients. Molecular examination of 86 patients showed that 25.5% of them were infected; 86% were confirmed to have pathogens in their urine and 45.5% in stool. Among positive patients, 32% had microsporidia confirmed in both urine and stool. Genotyping revealed Encephalitozoon cuniculi (59%) and Enterocytozoon bieneusi (23%) monoinfections as well as coinfections with both species (18%). Moreover, we found diarrhoea and fever as symptoms significantly associated with microsporidia presence. Our results indicate that microsporidial infection should be considered in the assessment of renal transplant recipients, especially in the urinary tract, even if asymptomatic. Molecular identification of microsporidia species is relevant because of their different susceptibility for treatment.
- MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Genotyping Techniques MeSH
- Urinary Tract Infections epidemiology microbiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microsporidia classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Microsporidiosis epidemiology microbiology MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Urine microbiology MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Transplant Recipients * MeSH
- Diarrhea epidemiology microbiology MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Kidney Transplantation * MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Adolescent MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
The utility of inter simple sequence repeat-PCR (ISSR-PCR) assay in the genetic characterisation and elucidation of the phylogenetic relationship of different microsporidian isolates infecting tropical tasar silkworm, Antheraea mylitta Drury, is demonstrated. A total of 22 different microsporidians collected from the diseased tasar silkworms from Jharkhand state of India were analysed using morphological characters and ISSR-PCR. Observations spores under phase contrast microscope revealed oval to elongate in shape with length ranging from 3.8 μm to 5.1 μm and width from 2.6 μm to 3.3 μm. All the microsporidian isolates except MIJ-1gC showed gonadal infection and transovarial transmission in infected tasar silkworms. Fourteen out of 20 ISSR primers tested generated reproducible profiles and yielded a total of 281 fragments, of which 273 were polymorphic (97%). The degree of banding pattern was used to evaluate genetic distances and for phylogenetic analysis. The results demonstrated that ISSR analysis may be a useful and efficient tool for taxonomical grouping and phylogenetic classification of different microsporidians in general.
- MeSH
- Molecular Diagnostic Techniques MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Genetic Markers MeSH
- Microsporidia * genetics isolation & purification classification pathogenicity MeSH
- Microsatellite Repeats MeSH
- Moths * parasitology MeSH
- Sequence Analysis MeSH
- Spores classification growth & development MeSH
- Statistics as Topic MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- India MeSH
A total of 219 and 124 individual fecal samples of horses and donkeys, respectively, were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp., Encephalitozoon spp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi DNA by genus-specific nested PCR. Isolates were genotyped by sequence analysis of SSU rRNA, GP60, TRAP-C1, COWP, and HSP70 loci in Cryptosporidium, and the ITS region in microsporidia. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected on 3/18 horse farms and 1/15 farms where donkeys were kept. Overall, five (2.3%) horse and two (1.6%) donkey specimens were PCR positive for Cryptosporidium. Genotyping at SSU and GP60 loci revealed that three isolates from horses and donkeys were C. parvum subtype family IIaA16G1R1, one isolate from a horse was, C. muris RN66, and one isolate from a donkey was C. muris TS03. An isolate from a horse shared 99.4% and 99.3% similarity with Cryptosporidium hominis and C. cuniculus, respectively, at the SSU locus. This isolate shared 100% identity with C. hominis at the TRAP-C1, COWP, and HSP70 loci, and it was from the novel gp60 subtype family IkA15G1. Microsporidia were found on 6/18 horse and 2/15 donkey farms. E. bieneusi was identified in 6.8% (15/219) and 1.6% (2/124), and Encephalitozoon cuniculi was identified in 1.8% (4/219) and 1.6% (2/124), of horses and donkeys, respectively. Three genotypes of E. cuniculi (I, II and III) were detected in horses, and E. cuniculi genotype II was detected in donkeys. Four genotypes of E. bieneusi (horse1, horse 2, CZ3, D) were described in horses. An additional five horses and two donkeys were positive for E. bieneusi, but the isolated were not genotyped. Neither Cryptosporidium nor microsporidia prevalence were affected by sex, age, type of breeding, or whether the host was a horse or a donkey.
- MeSH
- Cryptosporidium classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Equidae * microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Feces microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Horses MeSH
- Cryptosporidiosis epidemiology parasitology MeSH
- Microsporidia classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Microsporidiosis epidemiology microbiology veterinary MeSH
- Horse Diseases epidemiology microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Algeria MeSH
BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases pose one of the greatest threats to endangered species, and a risk of gastrointestinal parasite transmission from humans to wildlife has always been considered as a major concern of tourism. Increased anthropogenic impact on primate populations may result in general changes in communities of their parasites, and also in a direct exchange of parasites between humans and primates. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, we conducted a long-term monitoring of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in western lowland gorillas at different stages of the habituation process, humans, and other wildlife in Dzanga-Sangha Protected Areas in the Central African Republic. RESULTS: We detected Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotypes I and II (7.5%), Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype D and three novel genotypes (gorilla 1-3) (4.0%), Giardia intestinalis subgroup A II (2.0%) and Cryptosporidium bovis (0.5%) in gorillas, whereas in humans we found only G. intestinalis subgroup A II (2.1%). In other wild and domestic animals we recorded E. cuniculi genotypes I and II (2.1%), G. intestinalis assemblage E (0.5%) and C. muris TS03 (0.5%). CONCLUSION: Due to the non-specificity of E. cuniculi genotypes we conclude that detection of the exact source of E. cuniculi infection is problematic. As Giardia intestinalis was recorded primarily in gorilla groups with closer human contact, we suggest that human-gorilla transmission has occurred. We call attention to a potentially negative impact of habituation on selected pathogens which might occur as a result of the more frequent presence of humans in the vicinity of both gorillas under habituation and habituated gorillas, rather than as a consequence of the close contact with humans, which might be a more traditional assumption. We encourage to observe the sections concerning hygiene from the IUCN best practice guidelines for all sites where increased human-gorilla contact occurs.
- MeSH
- Time Factors MeSH
- Cryptosporidium classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Enterocytozoon classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Feces microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Phylogeny MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Giardia classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Giardiasis parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Gorilla gorilla MeSH
- Habituation, Psychophysiologic MeSH
- Cryptosporidiosis parasitology veterinary MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microsporidia classification genetics isolation & purification MeSH
- Microsporidiosis microbiology veterinary MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- Ape Diseases microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Social Environment MeSH
- Zoonoses microbiology parasitology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Geographicals
- Central African Republic MeSH
Two novel microsporidia infecting the fat body tissues in larvae of two hosts, Halesus digitatus and Micropterna sequax (Trichoptera, Limnephilidae), were investigated using light and electron microscopy and rDNA sequence analyses. The molecular and morphological characters of these isolates warrant creation of a new microsporidian genus, Zelenkaia gen. n., with two species, one named herein. Developmental stages of Zelenkaia spp. have single nuclei. In sporogony, a plasmodium with four nuclei gives rise by rosette-like budding to two pairs of uninucleate sporoblasts, each within a thin-walled, subpersistent sporophorous vesicle. Sporoblasts and mature spores adhere temporary together, forming doublets oriented in parallel, within the sporophorous vesicle. Spores are long-oval and uninucleate, and those of the type species Z. trichopterae measure 10.3×3.5μm and have 24-25 polar filament coils. Phylogenetic analysis based on rDNA places Zelenkaia spp. within the aquatic clade of microsporidia and, more specifically, in the clade containing some microporidia from amphipod hosts.
- MeSH
- Phylogeny * MeSH
- Insecta parasitology MeSH
- Microsporidia classification isolation & purification ultrastructure MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal chemistry MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Microscopy, Electron, Transmission MeSH
- Fat Body parasitology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Animals MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
Two hundred and seventeen captive great apes (150 chimpanzees, Pan troglodytes; 14 bonobos, Pan paniscus; 53 western gorillas, Gorilla gorilla) and 20 personnel from thirteen European zoos and two African sanctuaries were sampled and examined in order to determine the occurrence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and species of Encephalitozoon in faecal specimens and to compare the epidemiological situation between zoos and sanctuaries. Microsporidia were detected at all sampling sites. Sequence analyses of ITS amplicons generated by using microsporidia-specific primers determined the presence of microsporidia in 87 samples including 13 humans; since two cases of simultaneous occurrence of Encephalitozoon cuniculi and Enterocytozoon bieneusi were identified, 89 full-length ITS sequences were obtained, namely 78 Encephalitozoon cuniculi genotype I, five E. cuniculi genotype II, two E. hellem 1A and four Enterocytozoon bieneusi. No Encephalitozoon intestinalis-positive samples were identified. This is the first report of Encephalitozoon species and Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in captive great apes kept under various conditions and the first record of natural infection with E. hellem in great apes. A comparison of zoos and sanctuaries showed a significantly higher prevalence of microsporidia in sanctuaries (P<0.001), raising a question about the factors affecting the occurrence of microsporidia in epidemiologically and sanitarily comparable types of facilities.
- MeSH
- DNA, Fungal genetics chemistry MeSH
- Species Specificity MeSH
- Encephalitozoon genetics isolation & purification pathogenicity MeSH
- Feces microbiology MeSH
- Financing, Organized MeSH
- Genetic Variation MeSH
- Genotype MeSH
- Gorilla gorilla microbiology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- DNA, Ribosomal Spacer genetics chemistry MeSH
- Microsporidia genetics isolation & purification classification MeSH
- Microsporidiosis epidemiology microbiology transmission veterinary MeSH
- Molecular Sequence Data MeSH
- Ape Diseases epidemiology microbiology transmission MeSH
- Pan paniscus microbiology MeSH
- Pan troglodytes microbiology MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Base Sequence MeSH
- Sequence Analysis, DNA MeSH
- Sequence Alignment MeSH
- Zoonoses microbiology transmission MeSH
- Animals, Zoo microbiology MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Animals MeSH
- Geographicals
- Africa MeSH
- Europe MeSH
