Several trichomonad species have already been identified in pigs, and their pathogenic potential may not be ruled out. To date, however, no information is available regarding the prevalence of trichomonads in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. In the present study, a total of 362 fecal samples collected from pigs in three representative counties (Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin) in this province were examined for Tetratrichomonas buttreyi, Tritrichomonas foetus, and Pentatrichomonas hominis using a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The overall prevalence of T. buttreyi was 49.72%, and region and age were found to be significantly associated with T. buttreyi infection, respectively. Only one pig fecal sample from Qi County was found to be positive for T. foetus, and all samples were negative for P. hominis. Molecular evolutionary analysis revealed that some T. buttreyi isolates showed complete genetic identity with those reported previously, and some T. buttreyi isolates and one T. foetus isolate showed minor allelic variations compared with those reported previously. This is the report of the molecular epidemiology of T. foetus and T. buttreyi in pigs in Shanxi Province, North China. These findings not only enrich the knowledge on the distribution of these trichomonad species in pigs in China but also provide baseline information for planning future research and control strategies.

Several trichomonad species have already been reported from cattle, including Tetratrichomonas buttreyi and Pentatrichomonas hominis. However, there is currently a lack of information concerning the prevalence of trichomonad species in cattle in Shanxi Province, North China. In this study, 761 fecal samples from cattle across three counties in Shanxi Province, namely Qi, Jishan, and Shanyin, were examined for the presence of T. buttreyi and P. hominis DNA through a nested PCR assay targeting a specific segment of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. The results showed that the total prevalence of T. buttreyi in cattle was found to be 74.5%, with region and sex identified as risk factors for infection. P. hominis exhibited an overall prevalence of 3.0%, with strong associations observed between infection and both region and age. Sequencing analysis indicated that some T. buttreyi isolates and all P. hominis isolates were identical to those reported previously based on the analysis of SSU rRNA sequences, while certain T. buttreyi isolates exhibited minor allelic variations. These results enhance our understanding of the geographical distribution and genetic characterization of T. buttreyi and P. hominis in cattle.

Balantioides coli is the only ciliate with significant implications for both human and animal health. Regarding animals, B. coli primarily infects pigs. However, there is a lack of data regarding B. coli in pigs in Shanxi, a province in northern China covering 156,700 km ² where pig farming is a major agricultural industry. In this study, 341 pig fecal samples collected from this province were examined for the presence of B. coli using a traditional polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method targeting the β‐tubulin gene. The results showed that the overall prevalence of B. coli in the sampled pigs was 75.1%, and its prevalence varied significantly across different regions. Among the polymorphic sequences identified in this study, the genotype with zoonotic potential (genotype I) was observed. In addition, we established a cross‐priming amplification (CPA) strategy–assisted lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) biosensor for the detection of B. coli . The whole process from amplification to visual readout can be completed within 63 min without any special instrument. The biosensor exhibited a sensitivity of 100 copies/µL of plasmid DNA and specifically recognized B. coli . The results of the diagnostic performance analysis revealed that the biosensor accurately distinguished between PCR‐positive and ‐negative fecal samples. Our results contribute to expanding our understanding of the geographical distribution and genetic diversity of B. coli in pigs and have important implications for controlling B. coli infection in pigs and humans. Also, this study provides a novel molecular tool for the detection of B. coli , particularly in resource‐limited settings.