First Detection and Molecular Characterization of Colpodella in Goats, Foxes, and Birds

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Colpodella sp. in domestic and wild animals in Cyprus. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to report the detection of Colpodella sp. in foxes (Cyprus red fox Vulpes vulpes indutus), wild birds (Eurasian coot Fulica atra, duck Anas spp.) and goats (Capra hircus) worldwide. Methods: A total of 180 faecal samples (29 foxes, 48 Eurasian coot, 20 Eurasian teal Anas crecca, 7 duck, 44 goats − 10 from a farm and 34 free-living individuals - and 32 sheep Ovis aries) were analyzed for the parasite by nested PCR and sequencing. Results: Four samples were positive (4/180 = 2.2%), including one goat from a farm (1/10 = 10%), one fox (1/29 = 3.4%), one Eurasian coot (1/48 = 2.1%) and one duck (1/7 = 14.3%). Conclusion: The results of this study support the evidence that Colpodella sp. can infect mammals and birds, as well as livestock and wildlife, which could act as zoonotic reservoirs of the parasite and potentially pose a risk to human and animal health.