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Zhang X, Shi J, Lu Y, Ji R, Guan Z, Peng F, Zhao C, Gao W, Gao F. Mechanism of oxymatrine in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis through TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway based on network pharmacology and experimental validation. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14469. [PMID: 38914662 PMCID: PMC11196726 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-65362-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease. Oxymatrine, an alkaloid extracted and isolated from the plant bitter ginseng, has been reported to have therapeutic effects on cryptosporidiosis. However, the underlying mechanism of its action remains unclear. In this study, we utilized network pharmacology and experimental validation to investigate the mechanism of oxymatrine in the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. First, the potential targets of drugs and diseases were predicted by TCMSP, Gene Cards, and other databases. Following the intersection of drug-disease targets, the DAVID database was used to implement the enrichment analysis of GO functions and KEGG pathways, and then the network diagram of "intersected target-KEGG" relationship was constructed. Autodock 4.2.6 software was used to carry out the molecular docking of core targets to drug components. Based on the establishment of a mouse model of cryptosporidiosis, the validity of the targets in the TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway was confirmed using Western blot analysis and Quantitative Rea-ltime-PCR. A total of 41 intersectional targets of oxymatrine and Cryptosporidium were generated from the results, and five core targets were screened out by network analysis, including RELA, AKT1, ESR1, TNF, and CASP3. The enrichment analysis showed that oxymatrine could regulate multiple gene targets, mediate TNF, Apoptpsis, IL-17, NF-κB and other signaling pathways. Molecular docking experiments revealed that oxymatrine was tightly bound to core targets with stable conformation. Furthermore, we found through animal experiments that oxymatrine could regulate the mRNA and protein expression of IL-6, NF-κB, and TNF-α in the intestinal tissues of post-infected mice through the TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway. Therefore, it can be concluded that oxymatrine can regulate the inflammatory factors TNF-α, NF-κB, and IL-6 through the TNF/NF-κB signaling pathway for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. This prediction has also been validated by network pharmacology and animal experiments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Zhang
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Jie Shi
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Yilong Lu
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Rui Ji
- College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
| | - Zhiyu Guan
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China.
| | - Fujun Peng
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Chunzhen Zhao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Wei Gao
- College of Basic Medical Sciences, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, 261053, China
| | - Feng Gao
- College of Pharmacy, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
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Aboelsoued D, Abdullah HHAM, Megeed KNA, Hassan SE, Toaleb NI. Evaluation of a vaccine candidate isolated from Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst in mice. Vet World 2022; 15:2772-2784. [PMID: 36718331 PMCID: PMC9880841 DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2022.2772-2784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of diarrheal disease worldwide and is an animal and public health burden. This study aimed to evaluate the protective potential of affinity-purified Cryptosporidium parvum oocyst antigen as a vaccine candidate according to fecal oocyst shedding, humoral and cellular immune responses, histopathological changes, and the number of parasite developmental stages in ileal and hepatic tissues. Materials and Methods We isolated oocysts from naturally infected buffalo calves and identified them molecularly as C. parvum isolates (GenBank: ON730707 and ON730708) by targeting the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein gene. We propagated the C. parvum oocysts in mice. In addition, we prepared crude antigen from the isolated oocysts by purification using cyanogen bromide-activated Sepharose-4B affinity chromatography coupled with rabbit hyperimmune serum. Then, we divided 81 parasite-free mice into three groups: (1) non-vaccinated non-infected mice, (2) mice orally infected with 1 × 105 C. parvum oocysts on week 4 of the experiment, and (3) mice immunized twice with 40 μg/kg of the purified fraction at 2-week intervals. Then, we challenged the vaccinated group with C. parvum oocysts after 2 weeks, and the positive control group was infected at the same time. Results We observed a prolonged prepatent period and decreased oocyst shedding in the vaccinated infected mice compared with the non-vaccinated infected mice (t < 0.001). The vaccinated mice had significantly higher immunoglobulin G levels than those in the other two groups at all examined weeks. In addition, the production of cytokines interferon-gamma, interleukin (IL)-10, IL-12, and IL-15 was activated post-vaccination. After the challenge, all tested cytokines were significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the two infected groups compared with the non-vaccinated non-infected group, with the highest levels in the vaccinated infected group. Vaccinated infected mice exhibited significantly fewer pathological lesions in the ileum and liver than non-vaccinated infected mice, which showed prominent histopathological lesions. Endogenous developmental stages of C. parvum indicated that the ileum was more parasitized than the liver and that vaccination resulted in a lower number of oocysts in ileal and hepatic tissues (p < 0.05). Conclusion Our prepared affinity-purified vaccine candidate could be promising in protecting against cryptosporidiosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dina Aboelsoued
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt,Corresponding author: Dina Aboelsoued, e-mail: Co-authors: HHAMA: , KNAM: , SEH: , NIT:
| | - Hend H. A. M. Abdullah
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Kadria N. Abdel Megeed
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Soad E. Hassan
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
| | - Nagwa I. Toaleb
- Department of Parasitology and Animal Diseases, Veterinary Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Giza, Egypt
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He X, Huang W, Sun L, Hou T, Wan Z, Li N, Guo Y, Kváč M, Xiao L, Feng Y. A productive immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis with long oocyst shedding duration for immunological studies. J Infect 2022; 84:710-721. [PMID: 35192895 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.02.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Studies on the pathogenesis and immune responses of Cryptosporidium infection and development of drugs and vaccines use mostly immunocompromised mouse models. In this study, we establish an immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis with high intensity and long duration of infection. METHODS We have obtained a Cryptosporidium tyzzeri isolate from laboratory mice, and infect adult C57BL/6J mice experimentally with the isolate for determinations of infectivity, infection patterns, pathological changes, and transcriptomic responses. RESULTS The isolate has an ID50 of 5.2 oocysts, with oocyst shedding lasting at high levels for >2 months. The oocyst shedding is boosted by immunosuppression of animals and suppressed by paromomycin treatment. The isolate induces strong inflammatory and acquired immune responses, but down-regulates the expression of α-defensins in epithelium. Comparative genomics analysis has revealed significant sequence differences from other isolates in subtelomeric genes. The down-regulation of the expression of α-defensins may be responsible for the high-intensity and long-lasting infection in this animal model. CONCLUSIONS The immunocompetent mouse model of cryptosporidiosis developed has the advantages of high oocyst shedding intensity and long oocyst shedding duration. It provides an effective mechanism for the propagation of Cryptosporidium, evaluations of potential therapeutics, and studies of pathogen biology and immune responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xi He
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Wanyi Huang
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Lianbei Sun
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Tianyi Hou
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Zhuowei Wan
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Na Li
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
| | - Martin Kváč
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, České Budějovice 370 05, Czech Republic.
| | - Lihua Xiao
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
| | - Yaoyu Feng
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture. Guangzhou, Guangdong 510642, China.
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Wang L, Cao L, Zheng S, Chang Y, Zhang K, Zhang S, Zhang L. Molecular identification and biological characterization of Cryptosporidium muris from camels (Camelus bactrianus) in China. Parasit Vectors 2021; 14:365. [PMID: 34266490 PMCID: PMC8281508 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-021-04862-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic pathogen that infects a wide variety of vertebrates. The aim of the present study was to characterize Cryptosporidium spp. isolates from Bactrian camels and to foster further understanding of the biological characteristics of the pathogen. METHODS Fecal specimens were collected from two 4-year-old Bactrian camels resident at the Kaifeng City Zoo in China and examined for Cryptosporidium. Fecal specimens were screened using the floatation method, and then genomic DNA was extracted from the oocysts and identified by nested-PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene, the actin gene and the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall-protein (COWP) gene. Subtype analysis was performed based on four minisatellite (MS) loci (MS1, MS2, MS3 and MS16) that were aligned and phylogenetically analyzed to determine the species and subtype of Cryptosporidium. We then established a BALB/c mice infection model and further verified the results through clinical status, pattern of oocyst excretion and histological examination. RESULTS Cryptosporidium oocyst isolates from the two Bactrian camels had an average (± standard deviation) size of 7.49 ± 0.13 × 5.70 ± 0.10 μm (n = 50). The sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the species as C. muris. Multilocus sequence typing analysis indicated that the subtypes were M13, M4, M1 and M5. Following the inoculation of BALB/c mice, we found that the prepatent period and number of oocysts per gram increased with increasing infective dose. Oocysts were first detected in the feces of BALB/c mice at 7-8 days post-infection (dpi), with levels peaking twice thereafter, at 15-16 dpi and 19-20 dpi. Histology and scanning electron microscopy studies showed that the stomach contained gastric pits filled with Cryptosporidium that adhered to the surface of gastric mucosa gland epithelial cells, causing the latter to deform, swell and become disordered. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this study indicated that oocysts isolated from Bactrian camels were from C. muris. This is the first report of C. muris isolated from camels in China. More epidemiological data are needed to understand the prevalence and transmission of C. muris in camels in different geographic areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luyang Wang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Letian Cao
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Shuangjian Zheng
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yankai Chang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Kaihui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China
| | - Sumei Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China. .,International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, Henan, People's Republic of China.
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Cui Z, Dong H, Wang R, Jian F, Zhang S, Ning C, Zhang L. A canine model of experimental infection with Cryptosporidium canis. Exp Parasitol 2018; 195:19-23. [PMID: 30261189 DOI: 10.1016/j.exppara.2018.09.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2018] [Revised: 06/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a genus of protozoal parasites that affects the gastrointestinal epithelium of a variety of hosts. Several models of experimental infection have been described to study the susceptibility, infectivity and pathogenicity among different Cryptosporidium species and isolates. This study aimed to establish an experimental infection of Cryptodporidium canis in canids. Infectivity and pathogenicity have been measured by evaluating the clinical status, pattern of oocyst excretion and histological examination. Results showed that C. canis was not infective for immunocompetent dogs or mice with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome (SCID). Oocysts were first detected in the feces of immunosuppressed dogs on day 3 post-infection (p.i.), with levels peaking twice on days 10 and 17 p.i. during the patent period. cryptosporidial developmental stages were found in the duodenum and jejunum of dogs in histological sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H & E) and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Histopathological changes in the intestinal tract of infected dogs were characterized by epithelial metaplasia and dilatation; the integrity of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells was distinctly damaged with whole sheets of cilia sloughed away. Ultrastructural observation data were consistent with histological observations. Based on these findings, the canine model described in this work will be useful to evaluate clinical, parasitological and histological aspects of C. canis infection and will be useful for the further understanding of cryptosporidiosis, drug development, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaohui Cui
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Heping Dong
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Rongjun Wang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Fuchun Jian
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Sumei Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Changshen Ning
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; International Joint Research Laboratory for Zoonotic Diseases of Henan, Zhengzhou, China.
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Asadpour M, Namazi F, Razavi SM, Nazifi S. Comparative efficacy of curcumin and paromomycin against Cryptosporidium parvum infection in a BALB/c model. Vet Parasitol 2018; 250:7-14. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2017.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2017] [Accepted: 12/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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Del Coco VF, Sparo MD, Sidoti A, Santín M, Basualdo JA, Córdoba MA. Effects of Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in mice. Parasitol Res 2016; 115:3239-44. [PMID: 27193238 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-016-5087-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Accepted: 04/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an opportunistic protozoan parasite of humans and animals worldwide and causes diarrheal disease that is typically self-limiting in immunocompetent hosts but often life threatening to immunocompromised individuals. However, there is a lack of completely efficient therapy available. Probiotics have attracted the attention as potential antiparasite compounds against protozoa involved in intestinal infections. This study investigated the effects of administration of probiotic Enterococcus faecalis CECT 7121 on Cryptosporidium parvum infection in immunosuppressed mice. Effects on C. parvum infection at the intestinal mucosa were studied and scored at each portion of the gut. It was demonstrated that Ef CECT 7121 interfered with C. parvum infection when both probiotic and parasite were present in the same intestinal location suggesting that Ef CECT 7121 supplementation can alleviate the negative effects of C. parvum infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria F Del Coco
- Centro de Estudios Microbiológicos y Parasitológicos (CUDEMyP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, La Plata, 1900, Argentina. .,Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - Mónica D Sparo
- Centro de Estudios Microbiológicos y Parasitológicos (CUDEMyP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - Alicia Sidoti
- Cátedra de Patología B, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Mónica Santín
- Environmental Microbial and Food Safety Laboratory, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Beltsville, MD, USA
| | - Juan Angel Basualdo
- Centro de Estudios Microbiológicos y Parasitológicos (CUDEMyP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, La Plata, 1900, Argentina
| | - María Alejandra Córdoba
- Centro de Estudios Microbiológicos y Parasitológicos (CUDEMyP), Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 60 y 120, La Plata, 1900, Argentina.,Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de la Provincia de Buenos Aires, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Cryptosporidium parvum GP60 subtypes in dairy cattle from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Res Vet Sci 2013; 96:311-4. [PMID: 24480390 DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2013.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2013] [Revised: 12/17/2013] [Accepted: 12/22/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium parvum from 73 dairy calves less than two months old from Buenos Aires province (Argentina) were molecularly characterized using sequence analysis of the GP60 gene. Seventy-five sequences were obtained, and seven different subtypes were identified, all belonging to the IIa subtype family. The most common subtypes were IIaA20G1R1 (27/75), IIaA22G1R1 (16/75), and IIaA18G1R1 (13/75). Subtypes IIaA21G1R1, IIaA23G1R1, IIaA16G1R1 and IIaA19G1R1 were found sporadically. Two samples contained mixed infections with IIaA21G1R1 and IIaA22G1R1. A significant association was found between subtypes and geographic location, whereas there was no relation between subtypes and presence of diarrhea. Three of the subtypes found in this study (IIaA16G1R1, IIaA18G1R1, and IIaA19G1R1) were previously identified in humans. These findings suggest that cattle could play an important role in the transmission of cryptosporidiosis to humans in Buenos Aires province.
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Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from calves in Argentina. Vet Parasitol 2013; 198:382-6. [PMID: 24149044 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2013.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2013] [Revised: 09/18/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is responsible for significant fatalities of neonatal calves, resulting in substantial economic loss in dairy farming in several countries. Additionally, the high shedding of environmentally resistant oocysts by calves promotes contamination of drinking water and facilitates outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in humans. Here we report on the Cryptosporidium species and GP60 subtypes of 45 calves originating from the Humid Pampa, the main productive dairy farming area of Argentina. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 18S rRNA gene was done to determine the infecting Cryptosporidium species and only Cryptosporidium parvum was detected. Subtyping by sequence analysis of the GP60 gene revealed 6 different alleles all pertaining to the zoonotic IIa family. Of these, IIaA23G1R1 represents a novel IIa subtype. Other identified subtypes, IIa18G1R1, IIaA20G1R1, IIaA21G1R1, and IIaA22G1R1 have been recognized in very few studies and/or with low frequencies. Interestingly, different alleles prevailed in the provinces of Buenos Aires (IIaA17G1R1 and IIaA21G1R1), Santa Fe (IIaA23G1R1), and Cordoba (IIaA20G1R1 and IIaA21G1R1), and different allele distribution patterns were observed. Subtypes IIaA18G1R1 and IIaA17G1R1, the latter often found in this study, are strongly implicated in zoonotic transmission, suggesting that calves may represent a potential source for human cryptosporidiosis in this region. This is the first published report of a molecular analysis of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy and beef calves from Argentina.
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