Molecular Detection of Potentially Zoonotic Gastrointestinal Parasites in Norwegian Pigs

Abstract

Balantioides coli, Cryptosporidium spp., Dientamoeba fragilis, Enterocytozoon bieneusi and Giardia duodenalis are common intestinal pathogens that infect humans and animals. Swine are considered natural hosts for these protozoans. To date, research regarding these five protozoa in the Rogaland area has been limited. The objective of this study aimed to evaluate the presence of these five intestinal protozoa in pigs raised in local farms from the Rogaland area. Fecal samples from 125 pigs in different stages were collected. DNA extracted from samples was examined by conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays for the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene of B. coli, and D. fragilis; and by nested PCR assays for the SSU rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium spp., the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of E. bieneusi, and the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) gene of G. duodenalis. Our findings revealed that 88% (110/125) of the samples were infected with at least one protozoan and 72.8% (91/125) by two or more. In summary, of the 125 samples analyzed 70.4%, 45.6%, 44.8%, 40.8% and 2.4% tested positive for B. coli, D. fragilis, E. bieneusi, Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in 2.4%, respectively To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the presence of B. coli, D. fragilis, and E. bieneusi in swine in the Rogaland area, and on mixed infection with two, three or four parasitic protozoans in this part of Norway. This study indicates that swine in this region may possibly play a significant role in the transmission of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites as important reservoirs for human infections.