# Prevalence and molecular characterization of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in endangered Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) in Hainan, China

## TL;DR

This study reports the first detection and genetic analysis of a microsporidian parasite in endangered Eld’s deer in China, revealing potential health risks for both the deer and humans.

## Contribution

The study identifies novel and zoonotic genotypes of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Eld’s deer, a species previously unstudied for this parasite.

## Key findings

- E. bieneusi was detected in 17.5% of Eld’s deer fecal samples.
- Two novel genotypes (HNED-I and HNED-II) and five known genotypes were identified.
- Peru8 and Peru11 genotypes were found for the first time in cervids.

## Abstract

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is one of the most frequent microsporidia species causing digestive disorder mainly diarrhea in humans and animals. Eld’s deer (Rucervus eldii) is the class I national key protected wildlife and only distributed on Hainan Island in China. No report on the prevalence and molecular characterization of E. bieneusi in wild Eld’s deer worldwide.

217 fecal samples were collected from Eld’s deer in two isolated habitats of a nature reserve in Hainan, and examined by nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region.

The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in Eld’s deer was 17.5% (38/217), with 13.5% (12/89) and 20.3% (26/128) in habitats 1 and 2, respectively. Seven ITS genotypes were identified, including five known genotypes: D (n = 19), Peru11 (n = 10), EbpC (n = 5), Peru8 (n = 1) and Type IV (n = 1), and two novel genotypes: HNED-I and HNED-II (one each). Genotypes Peru8 and Peru11 were firstly identified in cervids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that all the detected genotypes belonged to zoonotic Group 1. The results implied that the further research on threaten of E. bieneusi to endangered Eld’s deer and potential risks for public health is necessary.