Molecular identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia in brazilian captive birds

Authors: DA CUNHA, MARIA - Orise Fellow; CURY, MARCIA - Universidade Federal De Uberlândia; Santin-Duran, Monica

Submitted to: Parasitology Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/21/2016
Publication Date: 11/4/2017
Citation: Da Cunha, M.J., Cury, M.C., Santin, M. 2017. Molecular identification of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia in brazilian captive birds. Parasitology Research. 116:487-493. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5309-6.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5309-6

Interpretive Summary: Microsporidia, Giardia and Cryptosporidium are parasites of medical and veterinary concern that that are transmitted through contaminated water and food to humans resulting primarily in intestinal infections characterized by diarrheal disease. Very little is known of the prevalence and species of these parasites that infect captive birds and that might also be a source of environmental contamination leading to infection of other animals and humans. In this study, a total of 85 fecal samples from captive birds collected in Uberlândia and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) were examined for the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia by molecular methods. Of these, 3 birds were found positive for Enterocytozoon bieneusi (3.5%), 2 for Cryptosporidium (2.3%), and 1 for Giardia (1.2%). Nucleotide sequence analysis detected E. bieneusi genotypes D and Peru 6 in a Swan goose and in two Rock pigeons, respectively; Cryptosporidium baileyi and Goose genotype I in a Swan goose and a Mandarin duck, respectively; and Giardia duodenalis Assemblage A in a Toco toucon. Our results demonstrate that human-pathogenic parasites are present in captive birds in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination. This research provides beneficial information to medical and veterinary scientists on the prevalence and species of parasites that infect captive birds.

Technical Abstract: A total of 85 fecal samples from captive birds collected from October 2013 to September 2014 in Uberlândia and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais (Brazil) were evaluated for the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia by PCR. Of these, 3 birds were found positive for Enterocytozoon bieneusi (3.5%), 2 for Cryptosporidium (2.3%), and 1 for Giardia (1.2%). Two genotypes of E. bieneusi were detected by nucleotide sequence analysis of the ITS region, genotypes D and Peru 6 in a Swan goose and in two Rock pigeons, respectively. For Cryptosporidium and Giardia, nucleotide sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA identified Cryptosporidium baileyi and Goose genotype I in a Swan goose and a Mandarin duck, respectively; and Giardia duodenalis Assemblage A in a Toco toucon. Our results demonstrate that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes D and Peru6 and G. duodenalis Assemblage A are present in captive birds in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.