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Cryptosporidium is an important gastrointestinal parasite that can cause mild to severe diarrhea in various vertebrates, including humans and domestic animals. Infection is prevalent in dairy cattle, particularly calves, resulting in diarrhea and increased mortality with significant production losses. However, the prevalence and identity of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle in Heilongjiang Province is still poorly known. Our study aimed to investigate the prevalence and species and subtype distribution of Cryptosporidium in cattle in the region. In addition, we evaluated the zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium isolates and assessed possible transmission routes and health effects of this organism. We collected 909 fecal samples from five different farms in Heilongjiang Province between August and September 2022. The samples underwent Cryptosporidium detection by nested PCR and small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene sequence analysis. Four Cryptosporidium species were identified, including C. parvum, C. bovis, C. ryanae, and C. andersoni, with an overall prevalence of 4.4% (40/909). Based on sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene of C. parvum and C. bovis, three subtypes of C. parvum were identified, namely two previously known subtypes (IIdA19G1 and IIdA20G1), and one novel subtype (IIdA24G2). Two distinct subtype families were identified in C. bovis (XXVId and XXVIe). The high diversity of Cryptosporidium in dairy cattle and the emergence of a novel subtype of C. parvum in Heilongjiang Province suggest that dairy cattle may serve as a significant source of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis infection in this region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blastocystis sp. , Enterocytozoon bieneusi , and Giardia duodenalis are three common zoonotic intestinal parasites, and cattle are important hosts of these three intestinal protozoa. In this study, 1632 fecal samples were collected from dairy farms in Heilongjiang Province, China, and screened for Blastocystis sp. , E. bieneusi, and G. duodenalis using polymerase chain reaction. Of these, 149 (9.13%) were positive for three zoonotic pathogens, including 104 (6.40%), 22 (1.35%), and 23 (1.41%) for Blastocystis sp., E. bieneusi , and G. duodenalis , respectively. Based on partial SSU rRNA gene sequencing analysis, 104 positive samples of Blastocystis sp. were found, and a total of nine known subtypes were identified, including ST10 (61), ST3 (18), ST14 (6), ST26 (7), ST24 (3), ST25 (2), ST1 (2), ST5 (2), and ST21 (1). Among these, three subtypes (ST1, ST3, and ST5) were recognized as zoonotic subtypes, and two subtypes (ST10 and ST14) were specific to animals. All 23 Giardia duodenalis -positive samples belonged to assemblage E (n = 23) based on sequenced beta-giardin (bg) and triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) genes. Three known genotypes of E. bieneusi , namely J (n = 9), I (n = 6), and BEB4 (n = 7), were identified by sequence analysis of the internal transcriptional spacer region gene. Our study provides basic data for prevention and control in Heilongjiang Province; however, further research is required to better understand the prevalence and public health significance of these pathogens in the Heilongjiang region. [Display omitted] • The prevalence of the three parasites was 9.10% in the Heilongjiang region. • Prevalence: Blastocystis 6.40%, E. bieneusi 1.35%, G. duodenalis 1.41%. • Nine Blastocystis subtypes were found, including three zoonotic subtypes. • Three E. bieneusi genotypes and one G. duodenalis assemblage were identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An equivalent pipe network model is proposed for the free surface flow analysis in porous media. • The two-dimensional free surface flow problem is reduced to a one-dimensional problem of pipe network. • The proposed equivalent pipe network model has weak sensitivity of the mesh size and penalty parameters. Free surface flow analysis in porous media is challenging in many practical applications with strong non-linearity. An equivalent pipe network model is proposed for the simulation and evaluation of free surface flow in porous media. On the basis of representative elementary volume with homogeneous pore-scale patterns, the pore space of the homogeneous isotropic porous media is conceptualized as a collection of capillary tubes. According to Hagen-Poiseulle's law and flux equivalence principle, equivalent hydraulic parameters and unified governing formulations for the pipe network model are deduced. The two-dimensional free surface flow problem is reduced to a one-dimensional problem of pipe networks and a one-dimensional procedure based on the finite element method is then developed by introducing a continuous penalized Heaviside function. The proposed equivalent pipe network model is verified with results from numerical solutions and laboratory-measured data available in the literature, and good agreements are obtained. The proposed equivalent pipe network model is shown to be effective in analyzing the free surface flow in porous media. The numerical results also indicate that the proposed equivalent pipe network model has weak sensitivity of the mesh size and penalty parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cryptosporidium infection rate was highest in Chinese children aged <3 years. • Cryptosporidiosis prevalence of children was higher in rural than in urban. • Diarrheal children should be taken seriously in the diagnosis of Cryptosporidium. • Cryptosporidium hominis was the dominant species in Chinese children. • Cryptosporidium hominis IaA14R4 was the dominant subtype in Chinese children. Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans and animals, and a leading cause of diarrhea morbidity and mortality in children under 5 years old. However, the meta-analysis of Cryptosporidium infection in children in China has not been published. We searched the databases for articles published on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in children in China since the inception of these databases to 31 October 2022. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in children was estimated using a random effects model. The results showed that 111 datasets from 24 provinces were selected for the final quantitative analysis. The estimated pooled Cryptosporidium infection prevalence in children in China was 2.9% (3300/126,381). The highest prevalence rate was in southwestern China (4.8%, 365/7766). Subgroup analysis indicated that the Cryptosporidium infection rate in children aged < 3 years (4.9%, 330/8428) was significantly higher than that in children aged 3–6 years (2.5%, 609/26,080) and >6 years (2.6%, 647/27,586). Six Cryptosporidium species were detected in children in China from the selected studies. C. hominis was the dominant species (77.1%, 145/188) and the proportions of subgenotype IaA14R4 of C. hominis was highest (42.8%, 62/145). The findings suggest that Chinese children is in a low level of Cryptosporidium infection, however, the geographical distribution of the infection is extensive. We suggest that measures should be taken to ensure the healthy growth of Chinese children by improving the water environment, increasing public health facilities, strengthening children's health education, and developing sound Cryptosporidium infection control programs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This is the first meta-analysis of the worldwide prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in dairy calves. • The degree of intensive rearing and age are important risk factors for C. parvum infection in dairy calves. • There are many subtypes of C. parvum in dairy calves in different regions. • The subtype families of C. parvum vary in different geographical regions. Cryptosporidium is a significant zoonotic pathogen that often occurs in dairy cattle. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in dairy calves worldwide to help improve global animal husbandry and public policy implementation. Published articles were obtained from PubMed and Web of Science from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2021. The prevalence of C. parvum infection in dairy calves was estimated using a random effects model, and the sources of heterogeneity were explored using meta-regression. In total, 118 datasets were included in the final quantitative analysis. The results showed that the global prevalence of C. parvum in dairy calves was 21.9% (7755/42,890; 95% confidence interval: 19.9–23.9%). C. parvum infection was high in pre-weaned dairy calves (24.9%, 6706/29,753) and diarrhea dairy calves (33.6%, 1637/6077). In countries with low dairy stocking density (<10 cows/farm), the prevalence of C. parvum in dairy calves was also relatively low (15.2%, 1960/16,584). Three subtype families [IIa (72.2%, 2293/3177), IId (27.4%, 872/3177), and IIl (0.4%, 12/3177)] were detected in dairy calves globally from selected studies. C. parvum IIa was the dominant zoonotic subtype. In the IIa subtype family of C. parvum , the proportions of subtypes from high to low (top nine) were IIaA15G2R1 (32.4%, 742/2293), IIaA18G3R1 (11.8%, 271/2293), IIaA13G2R1 (8.2%, 187/2293), IIaA16G1R1 (6.4%, 147/2293), IIaA20G1R1 (3.5%, 81/2293), IIaA16G3R1 (3.4%, 78/2293), IIaA17G2R1 (2.7%, 62/2293), IIaA18G1R1 (2.5%, 58/2293), and IIaA15G1R1 (2.4%, 56/2293). In the IId subtype family of C. parvum , the proportions of subtypes (top four) were IIdA19G1 (36.0%, 314/872), IIdA15G1 (27.3%, 238/872), IIdA20G1 (16.2%, 141/872), and IIdA14G1 (13.0%, 113/872). Furthermore, IId is commonly found in China (771/872). The study results indicated that the IIa subtype family is globally prevalent, while IId is found in Asia, Europe, and Africa and IIl is only found in Europe. Diarrhea in dairy calves is associated with C. parvum infection and a significantly higher prevalence is observed in diarrheic calves. Age and stock density are two significant risk factors in the prevalence of C. parvum in dairy calves. The prevention and control of this zoonosis in dairy calves should receive greater attention, especially in regions with a high degree of intensive dairy farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic intestinal parasites that infect fish, birds, reptiles and mammals. Cryptosporidium spp. are common cause of diarrhea. In this study, a total of 1032 fecal samples were collected from the rectums of sheep and goats. The samples were analyzed using nested polymerase chain reaction (nested PCR) based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of Cryptosporidium spp. The average infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp. was 2.23% (n = 23), and three Cryptosporidium species were identified, namely Cryptosporidium ubiquitum (8/23), Cryptosporidium andersoni (5/23) and Cryptosporidium xiaoi (10/23). Subtyping of C. ubiquitum and C. xiaoi was carried out by DNA sequence analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Eight C. ubiquitum isolates were identified as zoonotic subtype XIIa. Nine C. xiaoi isolates were identified as subtypes XXIIIc (n = 1), XXIIIf (n = 3) and XXIIIg (n = 5). Subtype XXIIIg was first found in Chinese sheep. C. ubiquitum subtype XIIa was found in both sheep and goats, suggesting that sheep and goats are important sources of C. ubiquitum infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Non-biting flies such as the house fly (Musca domestica), the Australian sheep blowfly (Lucilia cuprina) and the oriental latrine fly (Chrysomya megacephala) may carry many parasites. In the present study, we performed a systematic overview of the different species of parasites carried by non-biting flies, as well as of isolation methods, different geographical distribution, seasonality and risk assessment. Methods: A meta-analysis was carried out with the aim to review the global prevalence of parasite transmission in non-biting flies. A total sample size of 28,718 non-biting flies reported in studies worldwide satisfied the predetermined selection criteria and was included in the quantitative analysis. Results: The global prevalence of parasites in non-biting flies was 42.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 31.9–53.2%; n = 15,888/28,718), with the highest prevalence found for non-biting flies in Africa (58.3%; 95% CI 47.4–69.3%; n = 9144/13,366). A total of 43% (95% CI 32.1–54.4%; n = 7234/15,282) of house flies (M. domestica), the fly species considered to be the most closely associated with humans and animals, were found with parasites. The prevalence of parasites in the intestine of non-biting flies was 37.1% (95% CI 22.7–51.5%; n = 1045/3817), which was significantly higher than the prevalence of parasites isolated from the body surface (35.1%; 95% CI 20.8–49.4%; n = 1199/3649; P < 0.01). Of the 27 reported parasites, a total of 20 known zoonotic parasites were identified, with an infection rate of 38.1% (95% CI 28.2–48.0%; n = 13,572/28,494). Conclusions: This study provides a theoretical basis for the public health and ecological significance of parasites transmitted by non-biting flies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• An equivalent fracture network model is proposed for seepage flow in porous media. • The proposed model can be used for the fractured media as well as porous media. • The proposed model is feasible for the anisotropic media in engineering practice. Based on the back analysis of equivalent continuum theory in frcatued media by Snow (1969), an equivalent fracture network model is proposed to evaluate steady seepage problems with free surface in porous media. In contrast to the continuum-based approaches on seepage flow, the continuum is replaced by an artificial fracture network system formed by two sets of fractures. The relationships between the permeability coefficients of porous media and equivalent parameters of fracture dip, spacing and aperture are deduced. The corresponding governing equations and finite element procedure according to the variational inequality theory are developed. Through good agreements of free surface locations between the proposed method, numerical data and field measurement in four typical examples, the proposed equivalent fracture network model is validated in modelling free surface flow in porous media. The solutions on the isotropic and anisotropic rectangular dams show that the proposed model has weak sensitivity of the fracture dip and mesh size, and its equivalence to the continuum-based method is also proved. In addition, the proposed model can be successfully used for the fractured media as well as porous media, the fracture direction has a significant impact on the free surface flow behavior in the fractured media, in which the fracture directions are negative for the antidip slope and positive for the dip slope to drain ground water. Finally, the results from the zoned dam with clay core and sand shell and the left bank abutment demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed model in complex dam engineerings with isotropic and anisotropic heterogeneity media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]