Abstract
BACKGROUND: Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are significant zoonotic protozoa causing gastrointestinal diseases in humans and animals. However, their prevalence and genotypic characterization in ostriches (Struthio camelus) remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and genetic diversity of these parasites in farmed ostriches by the Yellow River in Zhengzhou City, central China. A total of 156 fecal samples were collected and analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to determine the prevalence and assess the potential epidemiological roles of ostriches in transmission. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi was 2.56% (4/156), 1.28% (2/156) and 12.2% (19/156), respectively. C. baileyi and G. duodenalis assemblage B were identified in ostriches. Six E. bieneusi genotypes were identified in this study, comprising four previously reported genotypes (EbpA, EbpC, Henan-IV, and Type IV) and two novel genotypes (designated as COW1 and COW2, which differed from known genotypes by two single nucleotide polymorphisms). Among these, EbpC was identified as the predominant genotype. All six genotypes were phylogenetically assigned to zoonotic group 1. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that ostriches harbor zoonotic genotypes of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, indicating they may serve as potential reservoirs for human infection. This underscores the need for effective control measures to prevent environmental contamination and reduce the risk of transmission to humans and other animals.