PURPOSE: Parasites of genus Encephalitozoon are well known pathogens of domestic animals however less attention was paid to its spread among wildlife that can play an important role of reservoir of infection. The aim of the study was to conduct molecular detection and genotype characterization of Encephalitozoon spp. in wild small mammals trapped in localities both near to and at a large distance from residential areas. METHODS: In total, 300 wild small mammals (274 Rodentia and 26 Eulipotyphla) were trapped in 41 localities of the Czech Republic and tested by nested PCR for Encephalitozoon spp. RESULTS: The DNA of Encephalitozoon spp. was proved in tissues (brain or liver) of 11% (32/300) of animals. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) in positivity among animal species with the most infected species Micromys minutus (50%, 4/8) and Myodes glareolus (17%, 9/53). There was also statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between localities with the higher positivity (29%, 12/42) in localities near to residential areas, compared to localities with a large distance from residential areas (8%, 20/258). Sex and age of wild small mammals did not have effect on their positivity. Genotyping analysis revealed E. cuniculi genotype II in 22 samples and E. hellem genotype 1 A in one sample. CONCLUSION: This study brings new information on the molecular characterization of Encephalitozoon spp. isolated from wild small mammals trapped in two different areas (localities in near to residential areas and localities with a large distance from residential areas).

• Klíčová slova
• Encephalitozoonosis, Genotyping, Urban area, Wildlife, Zoonosis,
• MeSH
• divoká zvířata * parazitologie   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon cuniculi genetika   izolace a purifikace   klasifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon * genetika   izolace a purifikace   klasifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza * veterinární   epidemiologie   parazitologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• genotyp * MeSH
• hlodavci * parazitologie   MeSH
• hmyzožravci parazitologie   MeSH
• játra parazitologie   MeSH
• mozek parazitologie   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• zdroje nemoci * parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

The domestic chinchilla (Chinchilla lanigera) is kept as a pet and previous studies suggest that it may play an important role as a source of zoonotic parasites, including Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and microsporidia. In this study, we examined the occurrence and genetic diversity of above mentioned parasites in pet chinchillas in the Czech Republic by PCR/sequencing of the 18S rRNA, TPI, and ITS genes. Of 149 chinchillas from 24 breeders, 91.3 % were positive for G. intestinalis, 8.1 % for Cryptosporidium spp., 2.0 % for Encephalitozoon spp., and 5.4 % for E. bieneusi. Molecular analyses revealed presence of G. intestinalis assemblage B, C. ubiquitum (XIIa family), E. bieneusi genotypes D, SCF2, and, CHN-F1, and E. intestinalis. The infection intensity of G. intestinalis determined by qRT-PCR reached up to 53,978 CPG, C. ubiquitum up to 1409 OPG, E. intestinalis up to 1124 SPG, and E. bieneusi up to 1373 SPG. Only two chinchillas with C. ubiquitum and five with G. intestinalis had diarrhoea at the time of the screening. Three chinchillas in the long-term study were consistently positive for G. intestinalis, with intermittent excretion of C. ubiquitum, E. intestinalis, and E. bieneusi over 25 weeks. The findings indicate that chinchillas are frequently infected with zoonotic parasitic protists, but that these infections rarely show clinical signs. The lack of visible signs could reduce the vigilance of pet owners when handling their chinchillas, increasing the risk of transmission within breeding groups and possibly to humans.

• Klíčová slova
• PCR, Pets, QPCR, Zoonosis,
• MeSH
• činčila * parazitologie   MeSH
• Cryptosporidium * genetika   klasifikace   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• domácí zvířata * MeSH
• Encephalitozoon * genetika   izolace a purifikace   klasifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza * veterinární   epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Enterocytozoon * genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Giardia lamblia * genetika   izolace a purifikace   klasifikace   MeSH
• giardiáza * veterinární   parazitologie   MeSH
• kryptosporidióza parazitologie   epidemiologie   MeSH
• mikrosporidióza * veterinární   epidemiologie   MeSH
• RNA ribozomální 18S genetika   MeSH
• zoonózy * parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• RNA ribozomální 18S MeSH

OBJECTIVE: In recent years new infectious diseases, i.e. emerging or re-emerging diseases, have been coming to the forefront. Currently, microsporidia, considered to be a major cause of emerging and opportunistic infections particularly in immunocompromised individuals, are also included in this group. Therefore, the aim of our study was to map the prevalence of Encephalitozoon intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi infection in a group of patients and to compare it with the occurrence of specific antigens in immunocompetent people. METHODS: Detection of spores of both pathogens in faecal samples was performed by an immunofluorescence test using species-specific monoclonal antibodies. RESULTS: Positivity to E. intestinalis in 91 examined immunosuppressed patients reached 33% (30/91), while only 4.3% (3/70) of the control group samples were found to be positive (relative risk 7.7, p < 0.001). In case of E. bieneusi 14.3% (13/91) of immunocompromised patients were positive, as were 5.7% (4/70) of people from the control group (relative risk 2.5, p = 0.095). CONCLUSION: In case of development of any opportunistic infection, the infection is detected and removed in most cases at an early stage. The incidence of clinically manifested microsporidiosis in patients with immunodeficiency is rare as they are under constant medical supervision. However, we must not forget about opportunistic infections, and in case of any non-specific symptoms it is necessary to exclude or confirm the diagnosis for immediate treatment.

• Klíčová slova
• Encephalitozoon intestinalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, immunocompromised patients, microsporidia, monoclonal antibodies,
• MeSH
• Encephalitozoon izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• Enterocytozoon izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• hostitel s imunodeficiencí * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mikrosporidióza diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• oportunní infekce diagnóza   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• plošný screening * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

Faecal samples were collected from cats kept as pets (n = 120) and stray cats (n = 135) in Central Europe (Czech Republic, Poland and Slovakia) and screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis (Kunstler, 1882), Encephalitozoon spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi Desportes, Le Charpentier, Galian, Bernard, Cochand-Priollet, Lavergne, Ravisse et Modigliani, 1985 by PCR analysis of the small-subunit of rRNA (Cryptosporidium spp. and G. intestinalis) and ITS (microsporidia) genes. Sequence analysis of targeted genes revealed the presence of C. felis Iseki, 1979, G. intestinalis assemblage F, E. cuniculi Levaditi, Nicolau et Schoen, 1923 genotype II, and E. bieneusi genotype D. There was no correlation between the occurrence of detected parasites and sex, presence of diarrhoea or drug treatment (drug containing pyrantel and praziquantel). Compared to pet cats (7%), stray cats (30%) were statistically more frequently infected with protist parasites and overall may present a greater risk to human health.

• Klíčová slova
• Cryptosporidium, Encephalitozoon, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Giardia, PCR, antiparasitics,
• MeSH
• Cryptosporidium izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• Giardia lamblia izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• kočky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nemoci koček epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zoonózy MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• kočky MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Polsko epidemiologie   MeSH
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH

BACKGROUND: Infectious diseases represent the greatest threats to endangered species, and transmission from humans to wildlife under increased anthropogenic pressure has been always stated as a major risk of habituation. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of close contact with humans on the occurrence of potentially zoonotic protists in great apes, one hundred mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) from seven groups habituated either for tourism or for research in Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda were screened for the presence of microsporidia, Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. using molecular diagnostics. RESULTS: The most frequently detected parasites were Enterocytozoon bieneusi found in 18 samples (including genotype EbpA, D, C, gorilla 2 and five novel genotypes gorilla 4-8) and Encephalitozoon cuniculi with genotype II being more prevalent (10 cases) compared to genotype I (1 case). Cryptosporidium muris (2 cases) and C. meleagridis (2 cases) were documented in great apes for the first time. Cryptosporidium sp. infections were identified only in research groups and occurrence of E. cuniculi in research groups was significantly higher in comparison to tourist groups. No difference in prevalence of E. bieneusi was observed between research and tourist groups. CONCLUSION: Although our data showed the presence and diversity of important opportunistic protists in Volcanoes gorillas, the source and the routes of the circulation remain unknown. Repeated individual sampling, broad sampling of other hosts sharing the habitat with gorillas and quantification of studied protists would be necessary to acquire more complex data.

• MeSH
• Cryptosporidium klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   MeSH
• fylogeneze MeSH
• Giardia klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• giardiáza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• Hominidae MeSH
• intergenová DNA genetika   MeSH
• kryptosporidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• nemoci lidoopů epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• veřejné parky MeSH
• zoonózy epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rwanda epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• intergenová DNA MeSH

Ancient DNA (aDNA) of Encephalitozoon intestinalis (Microsporidia, Fungi) was detected in archaeological material originated from New Town of Prague (Czech Republic) with the use of molecular methods. Microsporidial aDNA was found in 3 samples originating from 2 objects, in a well/cesspit (samples from layers from the 18th century) and in a well from the 18th/19th century. The ability to use molecular methods to detect microsporidia extends the range of paleoparasitological inquiry, and could contribute to a better understanding of parasites shared between human and animals.

• MeSH
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• DNA fungální chemie   dějiny   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Encephalitozoon genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza dějiny   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny 18. století MeSH
• dějiny 19. století MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA fungální MeSH

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Microsporidia are identified as ubiquitous organisms of almost every animal group and are now recognized as emerging opportunistic pathogens of human. The risk factors include immunodeficiency, lack of sanitation, and exposure to contaminated water and infected animals. In Slovakia, the places with an increased risk of infection due to the presence of risk factors and routes of transmission are represented by Roma settlements. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the occurrence of Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi in children living in Roma settlements. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Stool samples were examined of 72 clinically healthy children coming from a group of the non-integrated Roma minority for the presence of microsporidia Encephalitozoon spp. and E. bieneusi. Microsporidian spores were detected by standard Rylux D, staining and by PCR and DNA sequencing. RESULTS: Of the total number of 72 stool smears examined, 22 were positive, which represented 30.6%. By the Real Time PCR, E. bieneusi was detected in 3 samples (4.2 %) and E. cuniculi in 19 samples (26.4 %). By comparing the sequences with sequences in the GenBank, E. cuniculi genotype I (Accession No. AJ005581.1) and E. bieneusi genotype A (Accession No. AF101197.1). CONCLUSIONS: Microsporidia, as newly emerging pathogens of humans and animals, are characterised by the production of spores which are environmentally resistant. Diseases caused by them have a cosmopolitan occurrence. Although E. bieneusi and E. cuniculi belong to the most frequently diagnosed species of microsporidia in humans, in Slovakia, this is the first confirmed evidence of E. bieneusi genotype A, as well as E. cuniculi genotype I in humans by the molecular method.

• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• Encephalitozoon izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza epidemiologie   etnologie   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• objevující se infekční nemoci epidemiologie   etnologie   MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• veřejné zdravotnictví MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• kojenec MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• předškolní dítě MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   etnologie   MeSH

AIM OF THE STUDY: To determine the prevalence of antibodies to intracellular pathogens (Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis) in sera of Slovak women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for the detection of specific IgG antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, and Encephalitozoon intestinalis in 118 sera samples from Slovak women with different diagnoses. RESULTS: Women were divided into three groups based on the age. In group 1 (n = 26, age > 51), nine women tested positive for T. gondii, two for E. cuniculi, and one for E. intestinalis. The respective numbers in group 2 (n = 53, age range 36-50) were 18, three, and seven, and in group 3 (n = 39, age range 20-35) 13, two, and four. In an attempt to find the relationship between the clinical diagnosis and the prevalence of the three pathogens, we divided the study subjects into four groups based on the condition (diseases of the nervous, respiratory, and immune systems and pregnancy). A statistically significant relationship between the diagnosis and the prevalence of a pathogen was found (p < 0.001). In women with diseases of the respiratory system, antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii were most often detected, while infection with E. intestinalis was most commonly associated with nervous system diseases and the highest seroprevalence of E. cuniculi was found in women diagnosed with immune system disorders. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, the seroprevalence rates of the three infections in pregnant women were similar, showing no significant difference. Women with diseases of the respiratory system were most often seropositive for T. gondii. Our result is consistent with the known fact that in humans, toxoplasmosis may affect various organs of the body, causing diverse clinical signs. However, the respiratory system is commonly involved and pneumonia may result. The most common finding is a mild, flu-like illness that lasts a few days. The women with different types of immunodeficiency disorders had the highest seropositivity rates for E. cuniculi and the second most common infection in this group was toxoplasmosis. Both of these parasites are opportunistic and can cause serious problems in immunocompromised individuals (HIV-positives, organ transplant recipients, chemotherapy patients). The women diagnosed with the nervous system disorders were most commonly infected with E. intestinalis. The relationship between the disease and this pathogen is not clear, but E. intestinalis is responsible for various pathologies; it causes mainly disseminated infections and damage to the digestive tract. E. intestinalis is a parasite very close to E. cuniculi affecting either the nervous system or the respiratory tract depending on the type of host.

• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• ELISA MeSH
• Encephalitozoon izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• encephalitozoonóza diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• protilátky protozoální krev   MeSH
• séroepidemiologické studie MeSH
• Toxoplasma izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• toxoplazmóza diagnóza   epidemiologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Slovenská republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protilátky protozoální MeSH

To determine the occurrence of potentially human pathogenic microsporidia (Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp.) in wild mice, we examined 289 East-European House Mice (Mus musculus musculus) and West-European House Mice (M. m. domesticus) trapped at 74 localities in an area across the Czech-German border. Microsporidia were detected at 33 localities, in 34% of M. m. musculus and 33% of M. m. domesticus examined specimens. Single-species infection was detected in 23 mice for E. hellem, 42 mice for E. cuniculi and 25 mice for E. bieneusi. No Encephalitozoon intestinalis positive animals were identified. Moreover, co-infections were detected in 6 animals; E. bieneusi co-existed with E. cuniculi or E. hellem in 3 mice. The natural infection of E. hellem has never been recorded in mice before. No differences were found by a statistical analysis of microsporidia occurrence between the House Mouse subspecies. Although the gender-dependent infestation of microsporidia was statistically supported in M. m. musculus, no significant differences were observed when the occurrence of microsporidia was estimated for all males and females irrespective of the House Mouse subspecies. The results of this report document the low host specificity of detected microsporidia species and imply the importance of synanthropic rodents as a potential source of human microsporidial infection.

• MeSH
• Encephalitozoon genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• Enterocytozoon genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• feces parazitologie   MeSH
• mikrosporidióza epidemiologie   parazitologie   veterinární   MeSH
• myši MeSH
• nemoci hlodavců epidemiologie   parazitologie   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• protozoální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• sexuální faktory MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Německo epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• protozoální DNA MeSH

Abstract: 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 ofEnterocytozoon 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 ofmicrosporidia 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 fungální chemie   genetika   MeSH
• druhová specificita MeSH
• Encephalitozoon genetika   izolace a purifikace   patogenita   MeSH
• feces mikrobiologie   MeSH
• genetická variace MeSH
• genotyp MeSH
• Gorilla gorilla mikrobiologie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA chemie   genetika   MeSH
• Microsporidia klasifikace   genetika   izolace a purifikace   MeSH
• mikrosporidióza epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   veterinární   MeSH
• molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
• nemoci lidoopů epidemiologie   mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• Pan paniscus mikrobiologie   MeSH
• Pan troglodytes mikrobiologie   MeSH
• polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
• prevalence MeSH
• sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
• sekvenční analýza DNA MeSH
• sekvenční seřazení MeSH
• zoonózy mikrobiologie   přenos   MeSH
• zvířata v ZOO mikrobiologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Afrika epidemiologie   MeSH
• Evropa epidemiologie   MeSH
• Názvy látek
• DNA fungální MeSH
• mezerníky ribozomální DNA MeSH