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Amoebic Infections and Treatments / Parasitic Infections and Diagnostics · Journal article
Pathogens · September 4, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is the first molecular survey of enteric protozoa in cattle from Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal, detecting Blastocystis sp. as most frequent, with zoonotic subtypes ST3, ST10a, and ST14 present, and Giardia duodenalis at low prevalence. The findings are descriptive and provide baseline epidemiological data for the region, but lack the sample size, comparator population, and genotyping completeness (MLST amplification failed for Giardia) needed to quantify zoonotic transmission risk or inform policy.
Cross-sectional molecular survey. Cattle from the district of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal; predominantly adult cattle.. Intervention: Molecular screening for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Blastocystis sp.. n = 100. District of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal.
Blastocystis sp. was the most frequently detected protozoan, exhibiting considerable subtype diversity including zoonotic subtype ST3 and potentially zoonotic subtypes ST10a and ST14. Giardia duodenalis was detected at relatively low occurrence, but multilocus sequence typing amplification was unsuccessful, preventing assessment of assemblages and zoonotic potential. Cryptosporidium spp. were not detected, likely reflecting the predominance of adult cattle in the sampled population.
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This baseline survey suggests Blastocystis with zoonotic potential circulates in Portuguese cattle, warranting further investigation of cross-host transmission dynamics and public health relevance. However, the single-centre, limited-sample design and incomplete genotyping do not yet support specific clinical or veterinary interventions.
A first descriptive molecular survey of parasite prevalence in a single Portuguese district with limited sample size and no comparative design, providing baseline epidemiological data but requiring larger studies for clinical or public health decision-making.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
This baseline survey suggests Blastocystis with zoonotic potential circulates in Portuguese cattle, warranting further investigation of cross-host transmission dynamics and public health relevance. However, the single-centre, limited-sample design and incomplete genotyping do not yet support specific clinical or veterinary interventions.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
A total of 100 fecal samples collected from cattle in the district of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal, were molecularly screened for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Blastocystis sp. This study represents the first molecular survey of enteric protozoa in cattle from the district of Viana do Castelo, northern Portugal. Blastocystis sp. was the most frequently detected protozoan and exhibited considerable subtype diversity, including the zoonotic subtype ST3 and the potentially zoonotic subtypes ST10a and ST14, a circumstance highlighting the occurrence in cattle of Blastocystis subtypes with potential public health relevance and the need to further investigate their cross-host transmission dynamics. Giardia duodenalis was detected at a relatively low occurrence, although unsuccessful multilocus sequence typing (MLST) amplification prevented assessment of its assemblages and zoonotic potential. Cryptosporidium spp. were not detected, likely reflecting the predominance of adult cattle in the sampled population. Overall, these findings contribute to the understanding of the molecular epidemiology of enteric protozoa in Portuguese cattle and provide updated baseline geographical data for northern Portugal. Continued molecular surveillance using optimized genotyping approaches and larger, more representative sample sets will be essential to better characterize the diversity, epidemiology, and zoonotic importance of these parasites within a One Health framework.
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