PDF(Pubmed)
Abstract：
Blastocystis is a parasitic protist that can infect humans and various domestic and wild animals. However, there is limited research on the prevalence of this parasite among rodents, particularly those living in pig farm settings. Therefore, to investigate the occurrence, molecular characterization, and zoonotic potential of Blastocystis among rodents within pig farm environments, we conducted an investigation of 227 rodents and shrews from 34 pig farms located in Henan, Shaanxi, and Shanxi provinces of China using nested PCR of the SSU rRNA gene of Blastocystis. The potential transmission and public health implications were also assessed from a One Health perspective. Blastocystis was detected in 86 (37.9%) fecal samples. The highest infection rate was observed among Ruttus norvegicus (73.7%, 42/58), followed by Ruttus tanezumi (30.1%, 41/136), and Mus musculus (12.0%, 3/25). However, it was not detected among individuals with Apodemus agrarius (n = 1) and Crocidura shantungensis (n = 7). Five known zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes (ST1-ST5) were identified, with ST4 (51.2%, 44/86) and ST5 (40.7%, 35/86) being the predominant ones, followed by ST1 (3.5%, 3/86), ST3 (3.5%, 3/86), and ST2 (1.2%, 1/86). ST4 was prevalent among R. norvegicus (83.3%, 35/42), while ST5 dominated R. tanezumi (70.7%, 29/41). Furthermore, ST5 exhibited the widest distribution at pig farm level, accounting for 65.0% (13/20) of Blastocystis-positive pig farms. This investigation presents the first documented Blastocystis infection in R. tanezumi and M. musculus, highlighting the predominant presence of the zoonotic ST5 subtype in rodents for the first time. The results demonstrate that sympatric rodents can serve as natural reservoirs for Blastocystis and play a role in its transmission. These findings provide information on the dynamics of rodent transmission and emphasize the potential public health threat posed by zoonotic Blastocystis subtypes spillover from pig farms.
摘要：
囊胚是一种寄生虫，可以感染人类以及各种家养和野生动物。然而,关于这种寄生虫在啮齿动物中的流行程度的研究有限，尤其是那些生活在养猪场的人。因此,为了调查发生的情况，分子表征，以及猪场环境中啮齿类动物囊胚的人畜共患潜力，我们对河南34个养猪场的227只啮齿动物和泼妇进行了调查，陕西,和中国山西省使用巢式PCR检测囊胚的SSUrRNA基因。还从“一个健康”的角度评估了潜在的传播和公共卫生影响。在86份（37.9%）粪便样本中检测到囊胚。norvegicus感染率最高(73.7%,42/58)，其次是Ruttustanezumi(30.1%，41/136），和小家鼠(12.0%，3/25）。然而,在患有农业Apodemus（n=1）和Crocidurashantungensis（n=7）的个体中未检测到。确定了五种已知的人畜共患胚泡亚型（ST1-ST5），与ST4（51.2%，44/86）和ST5（40.7%，35/86）是主要的，其次是ST1(3.5%，3/86),ST3（3.5%，3/86),和ST2（1.2%，1/86).ST4在Norvegicus中普遍存在(83.3%，35/42),而ST5主导了R.tanezumi(70.7%，29/41).此外，ST5在猪场一级表现出最广泛的分布，占囊胚菌阳性猪场的65.0%(13/20)。这项调查提出了第一个记录的囊胚感染R.tanezumi和Musculus，首次强调了啮齿动物中人畜共患ST5亚型的主要存在。结果表明，共生啮齿动物可以作为囊胚的天然储库，并在其传播中起作用。这些发现提供了有关啮齿动物传播动态的信息，并强调了由猪场溢出的人畜共患胚泡亚型构成的潜在公共卫生威胁。
