African Journal of Parasitology Research

African Journal of Parasitology Research | Vol. 14, No. 8, August 2026 | pp. 613–620

DOI: 10.46882/AJPR/170550

Article Type: Short Communication

Title: Molecular detection and multi-locus genotyping of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in synanthropic rodents trapped in urban food markets of Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire

Names of Authors: Koffi A. N'Goran¹, Yao B. Kouadio¹, Awa C. Toure²

Authors’ Affiliations: ¹UFR Biosciences, Universite Felix Houphouet-Boigny, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire. ²Departement de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Institut Pasteur de Cote d'Ivoire, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

Abstract: Synanthropic rodents living in densely populated urban markets act as structural reservoirs for microsporidian pathogens. This study identified the prevalence, genetic diversity, and zoonotic transmission dynamics of Enterocytozoon bieneusi in wild rodents captured across major open-air food markets in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Trapping operations over a four-month period captured 240 rodents, morphologically and molecularly verified as Rattus rattus (62.5 percent) and Mastomys natalensis (37.5 percent). Fecal DNA extracts were processed using nested polymerase chain reaction assays targeting the internal transcribed spacer region of the ribosomal RNA gene. The overall prevalence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi was determined at 18.3 percent (n = 44). Multi-locus sequence genotyping identified five distinct internal transcribed spacer genotypes, including known zoonotic strains Type IV (n = 18), D (n = 12), and Peru6 (n = 6), alongside two novel host-specific genotypes designated as Abid-R1 and Abid-R2. Group IV and D strains were detected in rodents captured near meat and fish stalls, suggesting localized environmental contamination risks. Bivariate risk analysis showed no statistically significant difference in infection rates between host species or seasons (P > 0.05). The high prevalence of zoonotic genotypes indicates that urban market rodents are key contributors to foodborne and waterborne microsporidiosis pathways, requiring enhanced sanitation and rodent control policies.

Keywords: Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Synanthropic rodents, Genotyping, Urban food markets, Zoonotic transmission, Cote d'Ivoire

Manuscript Timeline: Received: 22 June 2026; Revised: 19 July 2026; Accepted: 04 August 2026; Published: 28 August 2026

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