Molecular identification of zoonotic Microsporidia in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)

Authors: AVALOS, GABRIEL - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; CABALLERO-GOMEZ, JAVIER - Cordoba University; MATAS-MENDEZ, PABLO - Alfonso X El Sabio University; CASTRO-SCHOLTEN, SABRINA - Cordoba University; JIMENEZ-MARTIN, DEBORA - Cordoba University; KÖSTER, PAMELA - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; Santin-Duran, Monica; BAILO, BEGOÑA - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; CANO-TERRIZA, DAVID - Cordoba University; GONZÁLEZ-BARRIO, DAVID - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; MATEO, MARTA - Complutense University Of Madrid (UCM); GARCÍA-BOCANEGERA, IGNACIO - Cordoba University; DASHTI, ALEJANDRO - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii; NAJERA, FERNANDO - University Of California, Davis; CARMENA, DAVID - Instituto De Salud Carlos Iii

Submitted to: Medical Mycology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/15/2024
Publication Date: 3/18/2024
Citation: Avalos, G., Caballero-Gomez, J., Matas-Mendez, P., Castro-Scholten, S., Jimenez-Martin, D., Köster, P.C., Santin, M., Bailo, B., Cano-Terriza, D., González-Barrio, D., Mateo, M., García-Bocanegera, I., Dashti, A., Najera, F., Carmena, D. 2024. Molecular identification of zoonotic Microsporidia in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Medical Mycology. 62(4): Article emyae027. https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myae027.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/mmy/myae027

Interpretive Summary: Microsporidia is a diverse group of parasites that infect a human and a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most frequently reported species in humans. Transmission is by the faecal-oral route through direct contact with infected humans or animals, or by ingestion of contaminated water and food. Limited information is available about the presence and molecular diversity of microsporidian species in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). The aim of this large-scale survey was to investigate the occurrence of E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. in wild and captive Iberian lynxes. E. bieneusi was detected in 3.2% (8/251) of the animals examined while none of the samples tested were positive for Encephalitozoon spp. Four known (D, EbfelA, PigEBITS7, and Type IV) and a novel (named as LynxSpEb1) E. bieneusi genotypes were identified. Our result indicate that the Iberian lynx does not seem to play a relevant role in the epidemiology of Encephalitozoon spp., and that this endangered felid is likely acting as spillover host rather than a true reservoir of E. bieneusi. Additional studies should be conducted to assess the impact of this parasite in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx. This information will be useful to other scientists, veterinarians, and public health agencies in understanding taxonomy, epidemiology, zoonotic potential, and public health importance of these infectious pathogens.

Technical Abstract: Microsporidia is a diverse group of obligate, intracellular and spore-forming parasites that infect a wide range of animals. Among them, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. are the most frequently reported species in humans. Limited information is available about the presence and molecular diversity of microsporidian species in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus). Presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Encephalitozoon spp. was investigated by molecular methods in wild and captive Iberian lynxes from Spain. Overall, E. bieneusi was detected in 3.2% (8/251) of the animals examined. None of the samples tested were positive for Encephalitozoon spp. Four known (D, EbfelA, PigEBITS7, and Type IV) and a novel (named as LynxSpEb1) E. bieneusi genotypes were identified. All the genotypes found belonged to the zoonotic Group 1 of E. bieneusi. This study constitutes the first molecular description of E. bieneusi in Iberian lynx in Spain. Our result indicate that the Iberian lynx does not seem to play a relevant role in the epidemiology of Encephalitozoon spp., and that this endangered felid is likely acting as spillover host rather than a true reservoir of E. bieneusi. Additional studies should be conducted to assess the impact of this parasite in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx.