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First isolation and characterisation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from a free-ranging rat (Rattus norvegicus)
Uwe Ulex Müller-Doblies1, Kathrin Herzog, Isabelle Tanner
1Institute of Parasitology, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstr. 266A, CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
Abstract:
The microsporidian species Encephalitozoon cuniculi can infect a wide variety of mammals including man. It is a common parasite in rabbits and several sporadic infections in laboratory rats have been described. Based on molecular data three E. cuniculi strains have been identified. Here we describe the first in vitro propagation of E. cuniculi, which was isolated from a free-ranging rat (Rattus norvegicus). The rat was one of three seropositive animals among 23 rats captured in the city of Zurich. The new isolate was further characterised as strain II ("mouse"-strain) based on the rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequence. Western blot analysis of this isolate revealed slight differences to other available strain II isolates originating from laboratory mice and farmed blue foxes. The new isolate caused disseminated infection in liver and lung upon oral inoculation of Brown Norway (BN) rats and was transmitted to sentinel rats. This rat-adapted isolate will be valuable to study the pathogenesis of Encephalitozoon infections in the rat model.
Insights
This study reports the first in vitro propagation of Encephalitozoon cuniculi from a wild rat. This new isolate, characterized as strain II, caused disseminated infections in rats, offering a valuable model for studying microsporidian pathogenesis.
Area of Science:
- Parasitology
- Microbiology
- Mammalian Pathogenesis
Background:
- Encephalitozoon cuniculi is a microsporidian parasite infecting diverse mammals, including humans.
- While common in rabbits, E. cuniculi infections in rats are sporadic.
- Three distinct E. cuniculi strains have been identified based on molecular data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the in vitro propagation of a novel Encephalitozoon cuniculi isolate from a free-ranging rat.
- To characterize this new isolate and assess its pathogenicity in a rat model.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and in vitro propagation of E. cuniculi from a wild rat (Rattus norvegicus).
- Strain characterization using rDNA internal transcribed spacer sequencing.
- Western blot analysis for molecular comparison with other strains.
- Oral inoculation of Brown Norway (BN) rats to assess pathogenicity and transmission.
Main Results:
- Successful in vitro propagation of E. cuniculi from a wild rat isolate.
- The isolate was identified as strain II, showing slight molecular differences from other strain II isolates.
- Oral inoculation led to disseminated infections in the liver and lungs of BN rats.
- Transmission to sentinel rats was observed, confirming infectivity and spread.
Conclusions:
- A novel, rat-adapted strain of Encephalitozoon cuniculi has been established in vitro.
- This isolate represents a valuable tool for investigating the pathogenesis of Encephalitozoon infections in a relevant rat model.
- Further research using this model can elucidate host-parasite interactions and disease mechanisms.