Enterocytozoon is a genus of microsporidian parasites, with Enterocytozoon bieneusi being a well-known species. It infects various mammalian hosts, including humans, and exhibits zoonotic potential. Out of the 97 fecal and intestinal samples collected from wild raccoon dogs in Korea, 12 (12.4%) tested positive for E. bieneusi via PCR, revealing 2 genotypes: genotype D and EbpA. Both genotypes were found to belong to the zoonotic Group 1. Notably, this study is the first to report the EbpA genotype in Korea. Although studies on E. bieneusi in raccoon dogs are relatively limited, the findings suggest potential public health concerns.
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an opportunistic microsporidian parasite with zoonotic potential that causes gastrointestinal illness in humans and animals. This study aimed to investigate the presence and genetic diversity of E. bieneusi from cats in Korea and to assess the potential public health risks associated with zoonotic genotypes. Among the 137 feline fecal samples, 4 (2.9%) were PCR-positive for E. bieneusi. In addition, 2 E. bieneusi genotypes were identified: Type IV, a known zoonotic genotype belonging to Group 1, and KCAT1, a novel genotype with zoonotic potential belonging to Group 1. This study is the first to report on these genotypes from cats in Korea, most of which were companion cats visiting veterinary clinics. Despite the low detection rate, the presence of zoonotic genotypes in companion cats is a potential public health concern because of the close physical interaction between cats and their human caregivers. These findings indicate the importance of routine monitoring and the molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in companion animals to comprehensively understand their zoonotic transmission patterns and to guide future risk assessments and preventive strategies.
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Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Environmental Sources near Cattle Farms in Korea Haeseung Lee, Myungji Jo, Hyeyeon Kim, Kaifa Nazim, Seung-Hun Lee, Min-Goo Seo, Sang-Joon Park, Man Hee Rhee, Dongmi Kwak International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2025; 26(15): 7270. CrossRef
Distribution and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in raccoon dogs in Korea Heon-Moo Park, Haeseung Lee, Su-Jin Chae, Kidong Son, Sanghyun Lee, Kaifa Nazim, Seung-Hun Lee, Yoonhoi Koo, Jinsu Kang, Min-Goo Seo, Sang Joon Park, Man Hee Rhee, Dongmi Kwak Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(3): 258. CrossRef
Enterocytozoon bieneusi is an important microsporidian protozoa that causes intestinal disorders in humans. We collected 191 fecal samples from roadkill deer carcasses, among which 13 (6.8%) showed positive reaction for E. bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction assay. Phylogenetic analysis revealed 6 distinct genotypes, 1 of which was novel. All genotypes belonged to Group 1, which has low host specificity, indicating possible transmission through sylvatic cycle. E. bieneusi infection was predominant in female deer (p<0.05).
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Distribution and genotypic analysis of Enterocytozoon bieneusi from cats in Korea Heon-Moo Park, Haeseung Lee, So-Young Sung, Kaifa Nazim, Bo-Yoon Jang, Ki-Chang Sung, Seung-Hun Lee, Min-Goo Seo, Man Hee Rhee, Dongmi Kwak Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(2): 188. CrossRef
Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Environmental Sources near Cattle Farms in Korea Haeseung Lee, Myungji Jo, Hyeyeon Kim, Kaifa Nazim, Seung-Hun Lee, Min-Goo Seo, Sang-Joon Park, Man Hee Rhee, Dongmi Kwak International Journal of Molecular Sciences.2025; 26(15): 7270. CrossRef
Distribution and genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in raccoon dogs in Korea Heon-Moo Park, Haeseung Lee, Su-Jin Chae, Kidong Son, Sanghyun Lee, Kaifa Nazim, Seung-Hun Lee, Yoonhoi Koo, Jinsu Kang, Min-Goo Seo, Sang Joon Park, Man Hee Rhee, Dongmi Kwak Parasites, Hosts and Diseases.2025; 63(3): 258. CrossRef
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