Exploring genetic variability of Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in raw vegetables and fruits: implications for food safety and public health in Mozambique

Frontiers in Microbiology

Microbiology

Lihua Xiao¹  Maria Luísa Lobo²  Olga Matos³  Cátia Salamandane⁴  Sónia Afonso⁵ 

[1] College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China;Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal;Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal;Environmental Health Institute, Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal;Group of Opportunistic Protozoa/HIV and Other Protozoa, Global Health and Tropical Medicine, Medical Parasitology Unit, Instituto de Higiene e Medicina Tropical, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal;Nova School of Business and Economics, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Carcavelos, Portugal;Faculdade de Ciências de Saúde, Universidade Lúrio, Nampula, Mozambique;Parasitology Department of Veterinary Faculty, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Maputo, Mozambique;

关键词: intestinal protozoa;    microsporidia;    raw horticultural products;    foodborne diseases;    zoonotic transmission;    Maputo;    One Health;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fmicb.2023.1223151

 received in 2023-05-15, accepted in 2023-07-17,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Giardia duodenalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are etiological agents of enteric diseases characterized by diarrhea that can progress to chronicity in humans, especially in children and in immunocompromised patients. This study aims to assess the genetic pattern of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi detected in vegetables and fruits commercialized in Maputo markets, Mozambique and determine their public health importance. Eight study points were sampled: a farmer zone, a wholesale, four retail markets, and two supermarkets in Maputo city, where eight types of horticultural products were purchased. Using nested-PCR methods, 2.8% (9/321) and 1.3% (4/321) of samples monitored were positive for G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi, respectively. Based on the analysis of the β-giardin and ITS rRNA sequences of G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi detected, respectively, four different sequences of G. duodenalis (three novel sequences: BgMZ1, BgMZ2, and BgMZ3, and one known sequence) all from assemblage B and three genotypes of E. bieneusi (two novel sequences: EbMZ4 and EbMZ5, and one known sequence: KIN-1) from group 1. These microorganisms were found and characterized for the first time in horticultural products in Maputo markets. All identified G. duodenalis and E. bieneusi display high genetic similarity within their β-giardin and ITS rRNA sequences, respectively, having been clustered into assemblages and genotypes with high zoonotic transmission potential. Our study may represent a relevant step in the understanding of these intestinal pathogens in association with fresh vegetables and fruits for human consumption, for a better and broader “One Health” approach.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Salamandane, Lobo, Afonso, Xiao and Matos.