Theileria, Hepatozoon and Taenia infection in great gerbils (Rhombomys opimus) in northwestern China.

The great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus), widely distributed in Asia, is a natural reservoir for Yersinia pestis, Leishmania donovani and some species of helminths. In this study, 188 great gerbils were sampled in Alataw City and Manas County, northwestern China, and tested for the presence of Theileria, Hepatozoon and Taenia species by molecular methods. Theileria sp., named as "Candidatus Theileria xinjiangensis", was detected in heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney of 6.9% rodents. Six genotypes of "Taenia sp. Rhombomys opimus", which were close to Taenia laticollis (87.3-94.0% identities), were detected in cyst liquid of 5.3% rodents. "Hepatozoon ayorgbor-like" haemogregarines was detected in spleens of 1.6% rodents. To our best knowledge, Candidatus Theileria xinjiangensis, Hepatozoon ayorgbor-like and genotypes of "Taenia sp. Rhombomys opimus" were found for the first time in the great gerbil. These results extend our knowledge on the diversity and pathogenesis of Theileria, Hepatozoon and Taenia species.