Widespread presence of human-pathogenic Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in chickens

•First report of E. bieneusi in birds in Brazil.•15.9% of the chickens examined were positive Enterocytozoon bieneusi.•All 4 genotypes identified have been previously reported in humans.•Chickens could contribute to the transmission of E. bieneusi to humans.

A total of 151 fecal specimens from chickens were randomly collected from local markets in Uberlândia and Belo Horizonte in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, to evaluate the presence of Enterocytozoon bieneusi by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Enterocytozoon bieneusi was identified in 24 fecal samples (15.9%). This represents the first report of E. bieneusi in chickens in Brazil. All PCR-positive specimens were sequenced and 4 genotypes were identified, Peru 6, Peru 11, Type IV, and D. All four genotypes have previously been reported as human pathogens and are potentially zoonotic. Our results demonstrate that human-pathogenic E. bieneusi genotypes are present in chickens in Brazil, corroborating their potential role as a source of human infection and environmental contamination.