Detection ofin White Yaks in Gansu Province, China.

Abstract

, the most common zoonotic pathogen of microsporidiosis, has been found in various animals and humans, but no information is available concerning the prevalence and genotypes ofin white yaks. In the present study, 353 faecal samples from white yaks in Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomous County, Gansu Province, Northwestern China, were collected and examined by PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer gene to estimateprevalence and identify their genotypes. Of the 353 faecal samples, 4 (1.13%) were tested-positive. Sequences analysis revealed that two known genotypes, namely, I (= 1) and BEB4 (= 2), and a novel genotype, namely, WCY1 (= 1), were found in this study. Among them, genotype WCY1 was clustered into Group 1, and genotypes I and BEB4 belonged to Group 2. The present study firstly indicates the existence ofin yaks in Gansu Province, Northwestern China. This is also the first record ofin white yaks. Effective measures should be taken to controlinfection in white yaks, other animals, and humans.