# Epidemiological Exploration of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, and Blastocystis spp. in Yaks: Investigating Ecological and Zoonotic Dynamics in Lhasa, Xizang

## TL;DR

This study investigates the prevalence of four protozoan parasites in yaks from Lhasa, Xizang, to understand their impact and support better control measures.

## Contribution

The study provides the first detailed prevalence data of four zoonotic protozoan parasites in yaks across multiple regions in Lhasa.

## Key findings

- Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence ranged from 48.5% to 65.2% across the three regions.
- Blastocystis spp. showed the highest prevalence, reaching up to 90.7% in Linzhou County.
- The study highlights the need for targeted prevention and control strategies for yak parasites in Lhasa.

## Abstract

Protozoan parasites are essential in the livestock industry globally, especially in yaks, because of their grazing-based feeding model. However, the exact prevalence of these protozoan parasites is still unknown. In the given study, 377 yak fecal samples were collected from three regions in Lhasa: Linzhou, Dangxiong, and Nimu County. The prime concerns of this study were to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis (G. intestinalis), Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi), and Blastocystis spp. in the given samples and assess the prevalence of these parasites in these three regions to identify their exact share in the overall global prevalence of these four protozoal parasites. The results demonstrated that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. intestinalis, E. bieneusi, and Blastocystis spp. in Linzhou County was 48.5, 22.9, 47.8, and 90.7%; 65.2, 13.6, 72.7, and 87.9% in Dangxiong County; and was 56.0, 29.3, 58.0, and 80.0%, respectively, in Nimu County. In conclusion, a significant prevalence of these four parasites was detected in the study areas. After the estimation of the prevalence of these parasites, better preventive and control measures can be implemented.

The yak (Bos grunniens), prevalent at an altitude between 3000 and 5000 m above sea level, provides the local inhabitants with meat, milk, leather, fuel (dung), and transport. However, intestinal zoonotic parasites seriously endanger its holistic well-being. The prime concern of this study is to investigate the prevalence of four globally ubiquitous zoonotic enteric protozoans, namely Cryptosporidium spp., G. intestinalis, Blastocystis spp., and E. bieneusi in yaks from different areas of Lhasa, Xizang. In the given study, 377 yak fecal samples from various regions in Lhasa were obtained, including 161 samples from Linzhou County, 66 samples from Dangxiong County, and 150 samples from the Nimu County cattle farms. Molecular identification of these protozoans was done after amplification using PCR and sequencing of PCR-positive samples, and further phylogenetic analysis was performed. The results indicated that the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., G. intestinalis, E. bieneusi, and Blastocystis spp. in yak farms in Linzhou County was 48.5, 22.9, 47.8, and 90.7%; 65.2, 13.6, 72.7, and 87.9% in Dangxiong County; and 56.0, 29.3, 58.0, and 80.0%, respectively, in Nimu County. The results of this study provide a basic reference for preventing and controlling intestinal parasites in yaks in Lhasa, Xizang.