Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals
Several species of amoebae in the genus <i>Entamoeba</i> forming four-nucleated mature cysts are pathogenic, but their identification is challenging due to a lack of distinctive morphological traits. Furthermore, host species cannot reliably be used as a criterion for identification. In...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Lorena Esteban-Sánchez Juan José García-Rodríguez Francisco Ponce-Gordo |
| author_facet | Lorena Esteban-Sánchez Juan José García-Rodríguez Francisco Ponce-Gordo |
| author_sort | Lorena Esteban-Sánchez |
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| description | Several species of amoebae in the genus <i>Entamoeba</i> forming four-nucleated mature cysts are pathogenic, but their identification is challenging due to a lack of distinctive morphological traits. Furthermore, host species cannot reliably be used as a criterion for identification. In this study, several isolates of four-nucleated cyst-forming <i>Entamoeba</i> species from animals at the Zoo Aquarium of Madrid are genetically identified. <i>Entamoeba</i> cysts were identified through microscopic analysis of faecal samples; none of the animals exhibited symptoms. DNA was extracted, and a fragment of the SSU-rRNA gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced to identify the species. <i>Entamoeba dispar</i> was identified in mantled guerezas (<i>Colobus guereza</i>), lar gibbons (<i>Hylobates lar</i>), greater rheas (<i>Rhea americana</i>) and giant anteaters (<i>Myrmecophaga tridactyla</i>). <i>Entamoeba hartmnanni</i> was detected in mandrills (<i>Mandrillus sphinx</i>) and chimpanzees (<i>Pan troglodytes</i>). <i>Entamoeba nuttalli</i> was detected in mandrills; the analysis of sequences available in GenBank revealed that this species has also been detected in human samples. The identification of the <i>Entamoeba</i> species across diverse host species underscores the need for genetic confirmation to prevent misidentifications. These findings expand the known host range of these species and emphasize the importance of regular monitoring to minimize transmission risks, including potential cross-species transmission to/from humans. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-28bae5f5d45d4fa2a2bb34bcdb408b1b2025-01-10T13:14:02ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-01-011519010.3390/ani15010090Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild AnimalsLorena Esteban-Sánchez0Juan José García-Rodríguez1Francisco Ponce-Gordo2Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, SpainDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Complutense University, Plaza Ramón y Cajal s/n, 28040 Madrid, SpainSeveral species of amoebae in the genus <i>Entamoeba</i> forming four-nucleated mature cysts are pathogenic, but their identification is challenging due to a lack of distinctive morphological traits. Furthermore, host species cannot reliably be used as a criterion for identification. In this study, several isolates of four-nucleated cyst-forming <i>Entamoeba</i> species from animals at the Zoo Aquarium of Madrid are genetically identified. <i>Entamoeba</i> cysts were identified through microscopic analysis of faecal samples; none of the animals exhibited symptoms. DNA was extracted, and a fragment of the SSU-rRNA gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced to identify the species. <i>Entamoeba dispar</i> was identified in mantled guerezas (<i>Colobus guereza</i>), lar gibbons (<i>Hylobates lar</i>), greater rheas (<i>Rhea americana</i>) and giant anteaters (<i>Myrmecophaga tridactyla</i>). <i>Entamoeba hartmnanni</i> was detected in mandrills (<i>Mandrillus sphinx</i>) and chimpanzees (<i>Pan troglodytes</i>). <i>Entamoeba nuttalli</i> was detected in mandrills; the analysis of sequences available in GenBank revealed that this species has also been detected in human samples. The identification of the <i>Entamoeba</i> species across diverse host species underscores the need for genetic confirmation to prevent misidentifications. These findings expand the known host range of these species and emphasize the importance of regular monitoring to minimize transmission risks, including potential cross-species transmission to/from humans.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/90giant anteatermantled guerezalar gibbonmandrillchimpanzeecommon rhea |
| spellingShingle | Lorena Esteban-Sánchez Juan José García-Rodríguez Francisco Ponce-Gordo Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals Animals giant anteater mantled guereza lar gibbon mandrill chimpanzee common rhea |
| title | Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals |
| title_full | Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals |
| title_fullStr | Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals |
| title_full_unstemmed | Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals |
| title_short | Unusual Findings of Human-Associated Four-Nucleated <i>Entamoeba</i> Species in Captive Wild Animals |
| title_sort | unusual findings of human associated four nucleated i entamoeba i species in captive wild animals |
| topic | giant anteater mantled guereza lar gibbon mandrill chimpanzee common rhea |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/1/90 |
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