Molecular Characterization of Zoonotic Intestinal Protozoa in Three Wildlife in Hebei Province, China

As an important component of ecosystems, wildlife plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. However, wild animals are also natural hosts of pathogens. In this study, fecal samples from three of wild animals were collected from Hebei Xiaowutai Mountain National Nature Reserve in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, China. Species identification of these samples was performed, and the infection status of common zoonotic protozoa in these three wild animal species was detected.

Common zoonotic protozoa were detected after species identification by PCR.

The results of species identification showed that the fecal samples were from red fox (Vulpes vulpes), leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and wild boar (Sus scrofa). Colpodella spp. was detected in red fox, with the closest phylogenetic relationship being to Colpodella spp. from Lake Luxembourg (NCBI accession number: GU067926.1); Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis) was detected in leopard cat, with the closest phylogenetic relationship to G. intestinalis assemblage F (NCBI accession number: LC341258.1).

The results showed that wild animals are affected by intestinal protozoan infection and that there is a risk of parasite transmission. The prevention and control of parasitic diseases in wild animals is not only conducive to the protection of animal welfare but also to public health.