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Title: Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in dogs in Bogota, Colombia

Author
item Santin-Duran, Monica
item CORTES VECINO, JESUS - U.OF COLUMBIA,BOGOTA,CO
item Fayer, Ronald

Submitted to: American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/8/2008
Publication Date: 8/1/2008
Citation: Santin, M., Cortes Vecino, J.A., Fayer, R. 2008. Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in dogs in Bogota, Colombia. American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 79(2):215-217.

Interpretive Summary: Farm dogs closely associated with food animals such as dairy and beef cattle have the potential to serve as a source of infectious agents. In our previous studies cattle were found infected with Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a parasite that also infects humans. However, nothing is known of the prevalence of this parasite in dogs. The present findings demonstrate for the first time the presence of E. bieneusi in the feces of dogs. The prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in dogs was determined for 120 dogs from Bogota (Colombia) by using the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Eighteen (15%) dogs were E. bieneusi-positive. In most dogs a dog-specific genotype (PtEbIX) was identified, but in two dogs E. bieneusi Peru 5 and K genotypes previously reported as human pathogens were identified. This is the first time Peru 5 and K have been identified in dogs. This study confirms that dogs are infected with both human pathogenic and host-specific genotypes.

Technical Abstract: Farm dogs closely associated with food animals such as dairy and beef cattle have the potential to serve as a source of infectious agents. In our previous studies cattle were found infected with Enterocytozoon bieneusi, a parasite that also infects humans. However, nothing is known of the prevalence of this parasite in dogs. The present findings demonstrate for the first time the presence of E. bieneusi in the feces of dogs. Of 120 dogs in Bogota, Colombia 15% were positive by PCR. Infected dogs ranged from 2 to 14 yr of age with more male than female dogs infected with E. bieneusi (20% vs 5%). All PCR positive specimens were sequenced and 3 genotypes were identified. In most dogs a dog-specific genotype (PtEbIX) was identified, but in two dogs the nucleotide sequences obtained were genetically identical to E. bieneusi Peru 5 and K genotypes previously reported as human pathogens. This is the first time Peru 5 and K, have been identified in dogs. This study confirms that dogs are infected with both human pathogenic and host-specific genotypes.