Enterocytozoon bieneusi in Wild Boars (Sus scrofa) from Hatay, Türkiye: The First Molecular Investigation

Öz

Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi) is an obligate intracellular, spore-forming parasite that can infect both vertebrate and invertebrate hosts and accounts for 90% of global human microsporidiosis cases. The increasing number of wild boars in rural and urban areas of Türkiye makes it necessary to investigate their potential as carriers of zoonotic pathogens that can be transmitted to humans. In this study, a total of 24 fecal samples collected from three different regions of Hatay province were analyzed using a nested PCR method to investigate the presence of E. bieneusi in wild boars (Sus scrofa) for the first time in Türkiye. All samples detected as negative. These findings may be due to factors such as regional ecological conditions, limited sample size, or low local prevalence. Although no positive samples were detected, these negative findings are still valuable for understanding regional distribution patterns and for guiding future surveillance efforts, particularly within the context of wildlife epidemiology. In conclusion, this is the first study to investigate the molecular screening of E. bieneusi in wild boars in Türkiye. These findings highlight the need for larger and more comprehensive epidemiological studies in different regions of Türkiye, including humans, domestic animals, wildlife species, and environmental samples.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Enterocytozoon bieneusi
• Hatay
• Nested PCR
• Wild boar
• Zoonosis

Türkiye, Hatay'daki Yaban Domuzlarında (Sus scrofa) Enterocytozoon bieneusi: İlk Moleküler Araştırma

Öz

Enterocytozoon bieneusi (E. bieneusi), hem omurgalı hem de omurgasız konakları enfekte edebilen, zorunlu hücre içi yerleşimli ve spor oluşturan bir parazittir ve küresel insan mikrospridiyozis olgularının %90’ından sorumludur. Türkiye’de hem kırsal hem de kentsel alanlarda artan yaban domuzu popülasyonu, bu hayvanların insanlara zoonotik patojenlerin bulaşında potansiyel bir rezervuar olarak rol oynayabileceğinin araştırılmasını gerekli kılmaktadır. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de ilk kez E. bieneusi varlığını araştırmak amacıyla Hatay ilinin üç farklı bölgesinden toplanan toplam 24 yaban domuzu (Sus scrofa) dışkı örneği nested PCR yöntemi ile analiz edilmiştir. Tüm örnekler negatif bulunmuştur. Bu sonuçlar, bölgesel ekolojik koşullar, sınırlı örneklem büyüklüğü veya düşük lokal prevalans gibi faktörlere bağlanabilir. Çalışmada herhangi bir pozitiflik saptanmamış olsa da bu tür negatif bulgular bölgesel dağılımın anlaşılması ve özellikle yaban hayatı epidemiyolojik sürveyansında gelecekteki izleme çalışmalarına rehberlik etmesi açısından önem taşımaktadır. Sonuç olarak, bu çalışma Türkiye’de yaban domuzlarında E. bieneusi’nin moleküler taramasını araştıran ilk çalışmadır. Bulgular, insanlar, evcil hayvanlar, yaban hayatı türleri ve çevresel örnekleri kapsayan daha geniş ve kapsamlı epidemiyolojik araştırmalara duyulan ihtiyacı vurgulamaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Enterocytozoon bieneusi
• Hatay
• Nested PCR
• Yaban domuzu
• Zoonoz

Kaynakça

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