Novel zoonotic Enterocytozoon and Encephalitozoon genotypes in domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica) in Iran: Public health implications.
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: To determine the occurrence of microsporidiosis in domestic pigeons in Iran, privately-owned pigeons presenting weight loss and diarrhea were tested through molecular and histopathological methods. Multiplex-PCR findings showed 57%, 30%, and 14% positivity for Enterocytozoon, Encephalitozoon, and mixed infection in the fecal samples, respectively. A novel Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotype, named IrnEb1, falling into zoonotic group 1 of E. bieneusi, and a novel genotype of Encephalitozoon hellem, named Irn2E, clustering as a sister taxon to genotype 2B were identified in pigeons for the first time using Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses. Histopathological examination revealed the occurrence of non-suppurative enteritis, nephritis, pneumonia, hepatitis, and encephalitis associated with focal necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. Data shown herein present a high prevalence of microsporidiosis in pigeons in Iran. Considering that both detected microsporidian species are zoonotic parasites, these findings suggest that the infected pigeons could pose a risk to public health.
DOI: 10.48620/78760
Authors: Sazmand, Alireza, Khordadmehr, Monireh, Önder, Zuhal, Oryan, Ahmad, Jigari-Asl, Farinaz, Katiraee, Farzad, Namavari, Mehdi, Bahiraei, Zahra, Hemphill, Andrew, Otranto, Domenico
Institution: Institute of Parasitology
Language: English
Subfield: Parasitology
Field: Immunology and Microbiology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6929480520
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