First identification and molecular subtyping of Blastocystis in free-living wild birds from urban Xinxiang, China

Blastocystis is a common enteric protist infecting humans, domestic animals, and wildlife worldwide. However, data on the prevalence and subtype diversity of Blastocystis in free-living wild birds in urban districts are rare. In this study, a total of 138 fresh fecal samples from free-living wild birds were collected from three universities and three communities in Xinxiang, China, to explore the infection rate, Blastocystis subtypes present and zoonotic potential of this protist. Blastocystis presence was determined with nested-PCR amplification based on the partial small ribosomal subunit (SSU rRNA) gene. Presence was detected from one community (Wupu) at an overall rate of 1.5% (2/136). Further DNA sequencing and phylogenetic analyses identified two ruminant-associated subtypes, ST10 (n = 1) and ST24 (n = 1), implying a cross-species transmission of Blastocystis from ruminants. This is the first report on the infection of ST10 and ST24 in free-living wild birds in an urban area in China. As potentially zoonotic subtypes, the occurrence of ST10 and ST24 suggests that these free-living birds could play a role in spreading Blastocystis to humans in Xinxiang.