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Simple Summary: Trichomonads are among the most prevalent intestinal parasites with a worldwide distribution which can infect many animals, resulting in economic losses and threatening public health. The donkey raising industry in Shanxi Province is relatively well-developed; however, it is not yet known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province were infected with Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis. Thus, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys using molecular approaches. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 25.4% and 0.7%, respectively. Genetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis sequences obtained in this study were identified as genotype CC1, suggesting possible zoonotic potential. This is the first report of T. buttreyi and P. hominis prevalence in donkeys worldwide, which not only extends the geographical distribution of trichomonads but also expands the host spectrum. The findings also have implications for the prevention and control of trichomonad infections in donkeys in Shanxi Province. Two species of trichomonads, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis, are common intestinal parasites that can impact animal health and productivity. Severe infection by these parasites can lead to diarrhea and wasting in affected animals. Notably, P. hominis is known to cause diarrhea and has the potential to be transmitted between animals and humans. Donkeys hold significant economic importance in China's agricultural sector. However, whether donkeys are infected with T. buttreyi and P. hominis remains unknown globally. To address this gap in knowledge, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative regions in Shanxi Province, North China. Then, the presence and genetic characteristics of T. buttreyi and P. hominis were examined using species-specific PCR primers amplifying the small subunit ribosomal RNA genes. The overall prevalence was detected to be 25.4% (207/815) for T. buttreyi and 0.7% (6/815) for P. hominis in donkeys in Shanxi Province. All obtained P. hominis sequences were identified as genotype CC1. Genetic analysis revealed that all P. hominis isolates from donkeys were clustered into the same branch with isolates detected in humans, suggesting possible zoonotic transmission. This study is the first to report the occurrence and prevalence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in donkeys globally. These findings expand the host range of trichomonads and improve our understanding of their genetic diversity and zoonotic potential, providing essential baseline data for the prevention and control of these parasites in donkeys in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent intestinal parasites with a worldwide distribution that can infect humans and animals, resulting in significant public health concerns and economic losses. For goats, infection with the two parasites can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, which is not conducive to the development of stockbreeding. Shanxi Province is one of the largest goats breeding provinces in China. However, the prevalence of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis in black goats in Shanxi Province remains unknown. Thus, 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected in five representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province to examine the presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. by using a molecular approach. The results showed that the total infection rates of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. The presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis were determined based on three established loci (tpi, bg, and gdh). Among the detected assemblages B and E of G. duodenalis, the most prevalent assemblage was E in black goats in the five study areas. One novel MLG (MLG-E12) was identified by multilocus genotypes (MLGs) analysis. Through DNA sequence analysis, four subtypes of Blastocystis spp. were found in black goats, namely ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30, among which ST10 was the dominant subtype in this study. This is the first report of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis infection in black goats in Shanxi Province, which not only enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis in black goats in China but also provides essential baseline data for the prevention and control of Blastocystis spp. and G. duodenalis infection in black goats in the study areas. Blastocystis spp. and Giardia duodenalis are two prevalent zoonotic intestinal parasites that can cause severe diarrhea and intestinal diseases in humans and many animals. Black goat (Capra hircus) farming is increasingly important in China due to the remarkable adaptability, high reproductive performance, rapid growth rate, and significant economic value of black goats. A number of studies have indicated that black goats are the potential reservoir of multiple zoonotic protozoans in China; however, the prevalence and zoonotic status of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province is still unknown. Thus, a total of 1200 fecal samples of black goats were collected from several representative regions at different altitudes in Shanxi Province and were examined for the presence and genotypes of G. duodenallis and Blastocystis spp. by amplifying the beta-giardin (bg), glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh), and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) loci of G. duodenalis and SSU rRNA of Blastocystis spp. using PCR and sequence analysis methods, respectively. The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province were 7.5% and 3.5%, respectively. Two assemblages (B and E) of G. duodenalis and four subtypes (ST5, ST10, ST14, and ST30) of Blastocystis spp. were identified, with assemblage E and ST10 as the prevalent genotype and subtype in black goats, respectively. One novel multilocus genotype (MLG) was identified in MLG-E and was designated as MLG-E12. For both G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp., the prevalence was significantly related to the region and age groups (p < 0.05). This is the first report on the prevalence of G. duodenalis and Blastocystis spp. in black goats in Shanxi Province. These results not only provide baseline data for the prevention and control of both parasites in black goats in Shanxi Province, but also enhance our understanding of the genetic composition and zoonotic potential of these two parasites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Three trichomonad species (Tritrichomonas foetus, Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, and Pentatrichomonas hominis) may affect pig production. Moreover, P. hominis is a zoonotic species. In the current investigation, 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties in Shanxi Province, North China, were molecularly tested for the three trichomonad species. The results showed that T. buttreyi was detected as the most common species, with a prevalence of 49.72%. Its prevalence was associated with region and age. Only one sample was tested positive for T. foetus, and this isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. For T. buttreyi, eight distinct sequence types were obtained, and only two displayed 100% nucleotide homology with the corresponding sequences reported previously. For the first time, we reported the prevalence and genetic characterization of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China, which provides baseline information for planning control strategies. Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available regarding the prevalence of trichomonads in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this province were examined for Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Pentatrichomonas hominis using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi was 49.72%, and region and age were found to be significantly associated with T. buttreyi infection, respectively. Only one pig fecal sample from Qi County was found to be positive for T. foetus, and all samples were negative for P. hominis. Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that some T. buttreyi isolates showed complete genetic identity with those reported previously, and some T. buttreyi isolates and one T. foetus isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. This is the report of the molecular epidemiology of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. These findings not only enrich the knowledge on the distribution of these trichomonad species in pigs in China but also provide baseline information for planning future research and control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Giardia duodenalis is a common zoonotic intestinal protozoan and causes significant economic losses and potential risks to public health. China is among the several major producers of donkeys worldwide, with approximately 2.6 million donkeys being reared in 2019, but studies on G. duodenalis infection in donkeys were limited. Thus, in order to better understand the molecular epidemiology of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China, 815 fecal samples were collected from donkeys in three representative geographical locations in Shanxi Province, North China, to determine the presence and genotypes of G. duodenalis based on three established loci (tpi, bg, and gdh). A total of 137 out of 815 fecal samples were detected as G. duodenalis-positive with an overall prevalence of 16.81%. Among the detected assemblages A, B, and E, the most predominant assemblage was B in the three study areas. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were identified with multilocus genotypes (MLGs) analysis and validated by a phylogenetic tree. This is the first report of G. duodenalis infection in donkeys in Shanxi Province, which not only enhances our understanding of the genetic diversity of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides essential baseline data for the prevention and control of G. duodenalis infection donkeys in the study areas. Giardia duodenalis is a ubiquitous flagellated protozoan, causing significant economic losses to animal husbandry and posing threats to public health. China ranks the world's sixth largest major producer of donkeys, rearing approximately 2.6 million donkeys in 2019, but limited investigation of G. duodenalis prevalence has been conducted in the past, and it is yet to be known whether donkeys in Shanxi Province are infected with G. duodenalis. In the present study, a total of 815 fecal samples collected from donkeys in representative regions of Shanxi Province, North China, were examined for G. duodenalis using nested PCR. Then, the assemblages and multilocus genotypes (MLGs) were examined based on three established loci: namely, β-giardin (bg), triosephosphate isomerase (tpi), and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh). The overall prevalence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province was 16.81% (137/815). The region was identified as the main risk factor for the observed difference in G. duodenalis prevalence in donkeys among the three study areas (χ2 = 21.611, p < 0.001). Assemblages A, E, and B were identified, with the latter as the predominant assemblage. Three MLGs (MLG-novel-1 to 3) were formed based on sequence variation among the three loci. The present study reveals the presence of G. duodenalis in donkeys in Shanxi Province, North China, for the first time, which not only enriches the data on the distribution of G. duodenalis in donkeys in China but also provides useful baseline data for planning control strategies against G. duodenalis infection in the sampled areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]