Molecular detection and phylogeny of Hepatozoon species in a wide spectrum of hosts from northwestern China.

BACKGROUND: Hepatozoon, an apicomplexan, mainly infects amphibians, reptiles and mammals, accidentally causes anemia and icterus in human. Large-scale investigation remains lack. This study examined the occurrence of Hepatozoon spp. in a broad range of hosts in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), northwestern China. METHODS: During 2018-2025, 3,344 liver or blood specimens were collected from 3,037 mammals and 307 reptiles across XUAR (covering 1.66 million km2). Animal species were identified using morphology and mitochondrial gene amplification. Hepatozoon was identified by PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene. RESULTS: A total of 35 animal species were examined (25 mammals and 10 reptiles). The Hepatozoon infection rate was 2.5% (84/3344 specimens). All positives were exclusively in Rodentia (6.5%, 84/1301); no Hepatozoon DNA was found in the other six mammalian orders (Lagomorpha, Chiroptera, Artiodactyla, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Primates) or Squamata reptiles. Combined with our previous report on Hepatozoon canis in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Hepatozoon felis in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), the study detected five additional Hepatozoon species: Hepatozoon chinensis, Hepatozoon ayorgbor, Hepatozoon ophisauri, Hepatozoon cf. ophisauri and one unnamed Hepatozoon sp. CONCLUSION: This study provides the first reports of Hepatozoon infection in several rodent species: Hepatozoon chinensis in the root vole (Microtus oeconomus), H. ayorgbor in the five-toed jerboa (Allactaga sibirica), H. ophisauri in the mole vole (Ellobius talpinus) and five-toed jerboa, H. cf. ophisauri in the great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) and Libyan jird (Meriones libycus), and Hepatozoon sp. in the long-tailed ground squirrel (Spermophilus undulatus). Hepatozoon surveillance on more wildlife should be strengthened.