High Prevalence of Enterocytozoon Bieneusi Genotype Beb6 in Wild Boars in Lorestan Province, Iran: Potential Source of Zoonotic Transmission Publisher



Javanmard E^{1, 2} ; Mohammad Rahimi H³ ; Taghipour A^{4, 5} ; Nemati S³ ; Mohebali M^{1, 6} ; Rezaeian M¹ ; Badrifar A⁷ ; Kazemirad E¹ ; Mirjalali H³ Show Affiliations
Source: Iranian Journal of Parasitology Published:2025

Abstract

Background: We aimed to investigate the prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi and the circulating genotypes in wild boar in the western regions of Iran. Methods: Fifty-two fecal samples were collected from wild boars in Lorestan province, Iran. After DNA extraction, the presence of E. bieneusi was evaluated by real-time PCR. A nested PCR targeting the internal transcribed region (ITS) was employed to characterize genotypes. The PCR products were sequenced, and the genetic diversity and relationships among the genotypes were identified using MEGA X and DnaSp (V5) software. Results: Sixteen (30%) samples were positive for E. bieneusi using real-time PCR, and 11 (21%) were positive for nested PCR, which was sequenced. All 11 positive samples were identified as the BEB6 genotype (Group 2). The haplotype diversity was noted to be 0.182, and the nucleotide diversity, calculated using DnaSp, was 0. 00085. Conclusion: The findings highlight the high prevalence of the genotype BEB6 in wild boars. The presence of this genotype suggests the circulation of E. bieneusi between domesticated animals and wild boars in Iran. © 2025 Javanmard et al.