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Blastocystis is a common enteric protist infecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife worldwide. However, data on the prevalence and subtype diversity of Blastocystis in free-living wild birds in urban districts are rare. In this study, a total of 138 fresh fecal samples from free-living wild birds were collected from three universities and three communities in Xinxiang, China, to explore the infection rate, Blastocystis subtypes present and zoonotic potential of this protist. Blastocystis presence was determined with nested-PCR amplification based on the partial small ribosomal subunit (SSU rRNA) gene. Presence was detected from one community (Wupu) at an overall rate of 1.5% (2/136). Further DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses identified two ruminant-associated subtypes, ST10 (n = 1) and ST24 (n = 1), implying a cross-species transmission of Blastocystis from ruminants. This is the first report on the infection of ST10 and ST24 in free-living wild birds in an urban area in China. As potentially zoonotic subtypes, the occurrence of ST10 and ST24 suggests that these free-living birds could play a role in spreading Blastocystis to humans in Xinxiang., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Blastocystis is a protozoan parasite frequently reported in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals, with a global distribution. No information on the infections of Blastocystis in Père David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus, PDD) is available. In this study, a total of 128 fecal samples collected in the National Nature Reserve of Shishou, Hubei Province of China, were used to determine the occurrence and subtypes of Blastocystis in PDD. Amplification of the SSU rDNA gene confirmed the common presence of Blastocystis infection, with an observed prevalence of 56.3% (72/128). Through nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, five known subtypes, which consisted of one zoonotic subtype (ST10) and four ruminant-specifical subtypes (ST21, ST23, ST25, and ST26), were identified in this study. This represents a high degree genetic diversity of parasites within the host. Of the 72 PCR-positive samples, ruminant-specific subtypes were the most frequently observed, with ST21 being the most prevalent subtype (56.9.7%, 41/72). This is the first report characterizing the molecular subtypes of Blastocystis in PDD. The findings demonstrate a broad diversity and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis in PDD. Further study of the transmission potential between wildlife and humans or domestic animals in the region is required., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Blastocystis is a gastrointestinal protozoan parasite commonly reported in humans and animals globally, including poultry, and it can cause zoonotic transmission of blastocystosis. However, comprehensive information is not available on the prevalence, subtype distribution and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis in chickens in China. In this study, a total of 1,000 individual fecal samples of free-range broiler chickens of 4 breeds were collected from 43 farms in 5 cities of Guangdong Province and investigated for the occurrence of Blastocystis infection. Blastocystis was determined by nested PCR analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence was 20.1% (201/1,000) in chicken samples and 69.8% (30/43) in screened farms, and considerable variation in prevalence between farms was evident, with a range of 0 to 76.9%. Population differences of Blastocystis in broilers among sites, breeds, and ages were assessed. The highest infection rates were observed in Yangjiang city (35.8%, 38/106), Sanhuang chickens (29.7%, 104/350), and the >80-day-old chicken group (30.5%, 40/131). DNA sequencing and phylogeny analyses identified 2 zoonotic subtypes, ST6 and ST7. A large predominance was observed for ST7, and genetic polymorphisms were confirmed at the intra-ST7 level with the identification of 5 divergent ST7 types. The incidence of both STs varied largely based on the breed, site, farm, and age. This is the first large-scale study to explore the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Blastocystis in chickens in China. The widespread distribution and avian adaptation of both zoonotic subtypes were demonstrated. The findings of this study highlight a potential threat to humans and will provide a better understanding of the epidemiology and public health impact of poultry Blastocystis., (Copyright © 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Blastocystis sp. is a gastrointestinal pathogen that is frequently found in humans and animals worldwide. In this study, 201 fecal samples were collected from captive Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) at three farms in Gansu province. Blastocystis was detected and subtyped by amplifying and sequencing the small subunit ribosomal DNA gene. The overall prevalence of Blastocystis was 39.8% (80/201). Five known Blastocystis subtypes (STs), including ST1 (n = 1), ST4 (n = 12), ST10 (n = 50), ST14 (n = 6), and ST24 (n = 11) were identified using subtyping and evolutionary analysis. ST10 was the most common ST observed in each farm. This study showed the infection status and genetic characteristics of Blastocystis in M. chrysogaster. Based on the surveyed data, because various potentially zoonotic STs, such as ST1, ST4, ST10, ST14, and ST24, were detected, it is believed that the zoonotic risk of Blastocystis from the Alpine musk deer in this area cannot be ignored., (© 2022 International Society of Protistologists.)

Background: Blastocystis is an anaerobic unicellular protist frequently detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of humans and animals worldwide. However, the prevalence and subtype distribution of Blastocystis in the coypu (Myocastor coypus) population have not been reported so far. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence, genetic characteristics, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates detected in coypus in China., Results: A total of 308 fecal samples were collected from coypus in seven regions across China and subsequently examined. Blastocystis was detected in 44 (14.3%) specimens by nested PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Further DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses resulted in the identification of two zoonotic known subtypes, ST4 and ST5, and an unknown subtype. ST4 was the most predominant subtype observed in the samples. ST5 infections were only observed in three coypus. Factors that were associated with prevalence of Blastocystis included age, geographical region and subtype. Interestingly, this is the first report about a potentially novel subtype infecting coypus., Conclusions: This is the first comprehensive report of Blastocystis in M. coypus across a wide geographic range of China. A moderate degree of genetic divergence was observed. The presence of zoonotic subtypes in farmed M. coypus suggests that these animals have the potential to transmit blastocystosis to both humans and domestic animals. These findings provide a better understanding of the genetic diversity of Blastocystis in rodents and contribute towards the establishment of efficient blastocystosis control strategies in the investigated areas., (© 2022. The Author(s).)

Blastocystis, an intestinal anaerobic protist with high genetic diversity, inhabits a variety of hosts worldwide, including rodents. However, there have been few studies on squirrel Blastocystis infections in China to date. Herein, 171 fecal samples from Pallas's squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus) sold as pets were collected to investigate the prevalence and genetic characteristics of Blastocystis. A total of 10 Blastocystis-positive samples (10/171, 5.9%) were obtained by PCR amplification and DNA sequencing of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene. Blastocystis subtype analysis revealed four known subtypes, namely, ST1, ST3, ST5 and ST6, with ST5 and ST6 being predominant. Phylogenetic analysis was performed to identify each subtype. To our knowledge, this study is the first to explore Blastocystis infection in Pallas's squirrels, expanding the host range of this parasite. Moreover, multiple zoonotic subtypes were found in Pallas's squirrels, suggesting that these animals may serve as reservoirs for pathogens of human Blastocystis infections., (© 2021. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

This study is the first description of Blastocystis infection in peafowls in China. In total, 143 fecal specimens collected from a peafowl breeding farm in Henan Province were tested for Blastocystis infection by PCR assay targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, and a total of 50 specimens (35.0%) were positive. Based on sequences and phylogenetic analysis, 2 genetically distinct subtypes (STs) were determined: ST9 and ST7. ST9 was the predominant subtype, accounting for 82% (41/50). The rare zoonotic subtype ST7 was also identified in peafowls, with the infection rate of 18% (9/50). Altogether, the present study is the first report of the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Blastocystis in peafowls in central China. The presence of zoonotic subtypes in peafowls suggests the potential risk of zoonotic transmission of Blastocystis to workers at peafowl farms., (© American Society of Parasitologists 2021.)