Emerging Echinococcus Shiquicus Infection of Asian Badgers in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau

Abstract

Echinococcosis is a zoonotic disease currently causing significant public health issues worldwide. The emerging and the expansion of Echinococcus spp. tapeworms in wildlife species and habitats are indeed underrecognized. Here, using infrared camera surveillance followed by morphological and genetic characterization, Echinococcus shiquicus (E. shiquicus), tapeworms were unexpectedly detected from Asian badgers in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau of China for the first time. In specific, an area of 3,939 km2 at an altitude of 3,691–5,339 m above sea level was monitored, from which fecal samples were collected, and fecal DNA was sequenced to solidify its match with the genome of Asian badgers before fecal egg examination. We further revealed that the isolated fecal eggs were morphologically representing E. shiquicus being oval in shape and containing a hexacanth embryo, and genetically formed a unique clade with diverse registered E. shiquicus isolates as illustrated by phylogenetic analysis. Overall, our investigation suggested Asian badger as a potential new definitive host of E. shiquicus tapeworm. More extensive surveillance for E. shiquicus tapeworm should be conducted in neglected host species and their habitats in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau.