Molecular characterization of in wild rodents from the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province, China: assessing host specificity and the potential for zoonotic transmission.

INTRODUCTION

Wild rodents are key hosts for transmission, yet there is a dearth of information regarding their infection status in the Inner Mongolian Autonomous Region and Liaoning Province of China. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and genetic characteristics of among wild rodents residing in these two provinces.

METHODS

A total of 486 rodents were captured, and fresh feces were collected from each rodent's intestine for DNA extraction. Species identification of rodents was performed through PCR amplification of the vertebrate cytochrome b () gene. To detect the presence of in all fecal samples, PCR analysis and sequencing of the partial small subunit of the ribosomal RNA () gene were performed.

RESULTS

Four species of rodents were identified: , , , and . Positive results for were obtained for 9.2% (18/195), 6.6% (7/106), 5.6% (5/89), and 6.3% (6/96) of these rodents, respectively, with an average infection rate of 7.4% (36/486). The identification revealed the presence of five species, ( = 8), ( = 5), ( = 2), ( = 1), and ( = 1), along with two genotypes: Rat genotype III ( = 10) and Rat genotype IV ( = 9).

DISCUSSION

Based on the molecular evidence presented, the wild rodents investigated were concurrently infected with zoonotic (, , and ) as well as rodent-adapted ( and Rat genotype III and IV) species/genotypes, actively participating in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis.