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First report of rodent-adapted Cryptosporidium wrairi in an immunocompetent child, Spain. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:3007-3011. [PMID: 35906999 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07607-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidiosis is a leading cause of childhood diarrhoea. Two species, Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum, are responsible for most confirmed cases globally. Close contact with pet animals can be an unnoticed source of children infections. We describe a case of infection by rodent-adapted Cryptosporidium wrairi in a 22-month-old immunocompetent toddler with no clinical manifestations in close contact with a pet guinea pig and poor personal hygiene practices in Majadahonda (Madrid, Spain). Attempts to determine the C. wrairi genotype family at the 60-kDa glycoprotein marker failed repeatedly. This is the first description of C. wrairi in a human host. Although a spurious infection cannot be completely ruled out, data presented here suggest that C. wrairi can be transmitted zoonotically.
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2
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Lv C, Li C, Wang J, Qian W. Detection and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet hairless guinea pigs (Cavia Porcellus) from China. Parasitol Res 2022; 121:2739-2745. [PMID: 35857091 DOI: 10.1007/s00436-022-07603-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan parasites that can infect humans and animals worldwide. Recently, the hairless guinea pigs (also called Skinny pigs) were introduced into China as pets. However, Cryptosporidium species and their prevalence in these exotic animals were not studied. In this study, fecal samples were collected from a total of 324 hairless guinea pigs from a pet market and four breeding facilities in four provinces of China. The infection rate of Cryptosporidium was 6.8% (22/324). Three Cryptosporidium species were identified, including Cryptosporidium homai (n = 16), Cryptosporidium wrairi (n = 5), and Cryptosporidium hominis plus C. homai (n = 1). Sequence analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene showed that the C. hominis isolate was a C. hominis variant, which mostly infects equine animals. However, the identification of C. hominis was not supported by the analysis of other genetic loci. The C. hominis isolate was characterized as C. homai at both 70-kDa heat shock protein (hsp70) and actin genes, indicating a mixed infection. At the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene, subtyping of the C. hominis isolate was not successful. Five C. wrairi isolates were identified as subtype VIIaA13T1, which was previously reported in a guinea pig in the USA. The Cryptosporidium spp. identified in this study have no or low zoonotic potential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaochao Lv
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Chen Li
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingsong Wang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China
| | - Weifeng Qian
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, No.263 Kaiyuan Road, Luolong District, Luoyang, 471003, People's Republic of China.
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3
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Xu J, Liu H, Jiang Y, Jing H, Cao J, Yin J, Li T, Sun Y, Shen Y, Wang X. Genotyping and subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis isolates from two wild rodent species in Gansu Province, China. Sci Rep 2022; 12:12178. [PMID: 35842437 PMCID: PMC9288474 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-16196-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 07/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are commonly detected intestinal protozoa species in humans and animals, contributing to global gastroenteritis spread. The present study examined the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in Himalayan marmots and Alashan ground squirrels in China's Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau area (QTPA) for the first time. Four hundred ninety-eight intestinal content samples were collected from five counties of QTPA of Gansu province, China.
All samples were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis by PCR amplification. The resultant data were statistically analyzed by chi-square, Fisher's test and Bonferroni correction using SPSS software 25. 0. Cryptosporidium positive samples were further subtyped through analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene sequence. A total of 11 and 8 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 2.5% (10/399) and 1.5% (6/399) in Himalayan marmots, 1.0% (1/99) and 2.0% (2/99) in Alashan ground squirrels, respectively. Sequence analysis confirmed the presence of C. rubeyi (n = 2), ground squirrel genotype II (n = 7), chipmunk genotype V (n = 1) and horse genotype (n = 1). The horse genotype was further subtyped as novel subtype VIbA10. G. duodenalis zoonotic assemblages A (n = 1), B (n = 6), E (n = 1) were identified in the present study. This is the first study to identify Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in Himalayan marmots and Alashan ground squirrels, suggesting the potential zoonotic transmission of the two pathogens in QTPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Xu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Hua Liu
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yanyan Jiang
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Huaiqi Jing
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China
| | - Jianping Cao
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Jianhai Yin
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Teng Li
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yeting Sun
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China.,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China.,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yujuan Shen
- National Institute of Parasitic Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research), Shanghai, 200025, China. .,NHC Key Laboratory of Parasite and Vector Biology, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,WHO Collaborating Centre for Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,National Center for International Research on Tropical Diseases, Shanghai, 200025, China. .,School of Global Health, Chinese Center for Tropical Diseases Research, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China.
| | - Xin Wang
- National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 102206, China.
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Zhang K, Fu Y, Li J, Zhang L. Public health and ecological significance of rodents in Cryptosporidium infections. One Health 2022; 14:100364. [PMID: 34984218 PMCID: PMC8692995 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is one of the most important genera of intestinal zoonotic pathogens that cause diarrhea in both humans and animals. Rodents are common and important hosts or carriers of pathogens with public health importance, and rodents play an important role in the ecology of zoonotic transmission. The overall worldwide prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in rodents is 19.8% (4589/23142). Twenty-five known Cryptosporidium species and 43 genotypes have been identified, and C. parvum is the dominant species in rodents worldwide. Rodents transfer pathogens to humans by the direct route or by serving as intermediate hosts transmitting the pathogens to other animals. We review the epidemiology, diversity, and transmission routes of Cryptosporidium spp. in rodents. The main purpose of this review is to highlight Cryptosporidium infection in rodents and its transmission, associated risk factors, and prevention; in addition, we assess the public health and ecological significance of Cryptosporidium infections from the One Health perspective. Review of the epidemiology and diversity of Cryptosporidium in rodents. The overall worldwide prevalence is 19.8% (4589/23142), C. parvum is the dominant species. Public health and ecological significance of rodent-borne Cryptosporidium at “One Health” perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaihui Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.,International Joint Research Center for Animal Immunology of China, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
| | - Yin Fu
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.,International Joint Research Center for Animal Immunology of China, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
| | - Junqiang Li
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.,International Joint Research Center for Animal Immunology of China, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
| | - Longxian Zhang
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, PR China.,International Joint Research Center for Animal Immunology of China, Zhengzhou, Henan, PR China
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5
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Prediger J, Ježková J, Holubová N, Sak B, Konečný R, Rost M, McEvoy J, Rajský D, Kváč M. Cryptosporidium sciurinum n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in Eurasian Red Squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris). Microorganisms 2021; 9:microorganisms9102050. [PMID: 34683369 PMCID: PMC8537388 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms9102050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. The diversity and biology of Cryptosporidium in tree squirrels are not well studied. A total of 258 Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from 25 and 15 locations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, respectively, were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and specific DNA at the SSU, actin, HSP70, TRAP-C1, COWP, and gp60 loci. Out of 26 positive animals, only juveniles (9/12) were microscopically positive (18,000 to 72,000 OPG), and molecular analyses revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype in all specimens. Oocysts obtained from naturally-infected squirrels measured 5.54-5.22 μm and were not infectious for laboratory mice (BALB/c and SCID), Mongolian gerbils, Guinea pigs, Southern multimammate mice, chickens, or budgerigars. None of naturally infected squirrels showed clinical signs of disease. The frequency of occurrence of the ferret genotype in squirrels did not vary statistically based on host age, gender or country of capture. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from six loci revealed that Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype is genetically distinct from the currently accepted Cryptosporidium species. Morphological and biological data from this and previous studies support the establishment of Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype as a new species, Cryptosporidium sciurinum n. sp.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jitka Prediger
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Jana Ježková
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Nikola Holubová
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Bohumil Sak
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
| | - Roman Konečný
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
| | - Michael Rost
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
| | - John McEvoy
- Microbiological Sciences Department, North Dakota State University, 1523 Centennial Blvd, Van Es Hall, Fargo, ND 58102, USA;
| | - Dušan Rajský
- Faculty of Forestry, Technical University in Zvolen, T.G. Masaryka 24, 960 01 Zvolen, Slovakia;
| | - Martin Kváč
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice, Studentská 1668, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic; (J.P.); (J.J.); (N.H.); (R.K.); (M.R.)
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branišovská 31, 370 05 České Budějovice, Czech Republic;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +420-387775419
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6
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Chen S, Chai Y, Deng L, Liu H, Zhong Z, Fu H, Hu Y, Shen L, Zhou Z, Geng Y, Peng G. CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. IN PET DWARF WINTER WHITE RUSSIAN HAMSTERS (PHODOPUS SUNGORIS SUNGORIS) IN CHINA. J Parasitol 2021; 107:770-777. [PMID: 34547101 DOI: 10.1645/20-102] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. have been identified in a wide range of hosts, such as humans and domestic and wild animals, while less information about the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet hamsters is documented. A total of 351 dwarf winter white Russian hamsters' fecal specimens were collected from 6 pet markets from the cities of Luzhou and Ziyang in Sichuan province in the southwestern part of China. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. determined with nested-PCR amplification of the partial small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was 39.32% (138/351). The highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was in pet market 5 (79.49%, 62/78), followed by pet market 6 (38.64%, 17/44). The lowest prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was observed in pet market 3 (14.89%, 7/47). Statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. were observed among different pet markets (χ2 = 76.386, df = 5, P < 0.05), and a further post hoc test revealed that only pet market 5 was significantly different from other pet markets. Molecular analysis showed that 4 different Cryptosporidium species or genotypes were identified: Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 127), Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype III (n = 6), Cryptosporidium andersoni (n = 4), and Cryptosporidium wrairi (n = 1). The identification of Cryptosporidium spp. was further tested with the 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP60) gene, and the positive rate was 29.7% (41/138). This is the first molecular report on Cryptosporidium spp. infection in dwarf winter white Russian hamsters in China. With C. parvum and C. andersoni being identified in both humans and pet hamsters, these findings suggest that pet hamsters may be potential reservoirs of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and subtypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanyu Chen
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Yijun Chai
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Lei Deng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Zhijun Zhong
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Hualin Fu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Yanchun Hu
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Liuhong Shen
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Ziyao Zhou
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Yi Geng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
| | - Guangneng Peng
- The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, China
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Chen J, Wang W, Lin Y, Sun L, Li N, Guo Y, Kvac M, Ryan U, Feng Y, Xiao L. Genetic characterizations of Cryptosporidium spp. from pet rodents indicate high zoonotic potential of pathogens from chinchillas. One Health 2021; 13:100269. [PMID: 34113708 PMCID: PMC8170418 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Revised: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. With pet rodents being integrated into modern life, the potential roles of them in transmitting parasites to humans need assessments. In the present study, we examined the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet rodents in Guangdong, south China. A total of 697 fecal samples were collected from 11 species of rodents in seven pet shops, one pet market and one farm. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. An overall infection rate of 36.9% (257/697) was obtained, with infection rates varying from 9.3% in chinchillas, 52.3% in guinea pigs, 57.1% in squirrels, to 68.4% in cricetid animals. Nine Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified, including C. wrairi (in 129 guinea pigs), C. andersoni (in 34 hamsters), C. homai (in 32 guinea pigs), Cryptosporidium hamster genotype (in 30 hamsters), C. ubiquitum (in 24 chinchillas and squirrels), C. parvum (in 2 chinchillas), Cryptosporidium ferret genotype (in 2 chipmunks), C. muris (in 1 hamster and 1 guinea pig), and Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype V (in 1 chinchilla and 1 chipmunk). Sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene identified three subtype families of C. ubiquitum, including family XIId in 15 chinchillas, XIIa in 5 chinchillas, and a new subtype family (XIIi) in 1 squirrel. The identification of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in pet rodents suggests that these animals, especially chinchillas, could serve as reservoirs of human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. Hygiene should be practiced in the rear and care of these animals, and One Health measures should be developed to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infections due to contact with pet rodents. Cryptosporidium spp. were prevalent in pet rodents in Guangdong, China. Nine Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified. Chinchillas were commonly infected with zoonotic C. ubiquitum. The XIId subtype family of C. ubiquitum has been imported into China together with chinchillas. One Health measures should be developed to control zoonotic cryptosporidiosi.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jia Chen
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Weijian Wang
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yu Lin
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Lianbei Sun
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Na Li
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yaqiong Guo
- Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.,Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Martin Kvac
- Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Branisovska 31, 37005 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic
| | - Una Ryan
- Harry Butler Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - 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 510642, China
| | - 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 510642, China
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8
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Xiao X, Qi R, Han HJ, Liu JW, Qin XR, Fang LZ, Zhou CM, Gong XQ, Lei SC, Yu XJ. Molecular identification and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon and Spirometra in snakes from central China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL FOR PARASITOLOGY-PARASITES AND WILDLIFE 2019; 10:274-280. [PMID: 31700790 PMCID: PMC6829678 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.10.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2019] [Revised: 09/21/2019] [Accepted: 10/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
Snakes are popular as food and traditional medicine in China. However, information about parasitic and bacterial infections in snakes from China is scarce. We investigated the prevalence of selected zoonotic agents including Cryptosporidium, Hepatozoon and Spirometra, in snakes in central China from June to October in 2018 by PCR amplification using parasite-specific primers. PCR amplification and DNA sequencing showed that 10.1% (15/149) of snakes were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., while 2.7% (4/149) were positive for Hepatozoon. Additionally, we found 36.9% (55/149) of snakes were infected with Spirometra erinaceieuropaei. The spargana burden per infected snake ranged from 1 to 26. BLAST and phylogenetic analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene showed that the parasites belonged to Cryptosporidium parvum genotype IIdA15G1, C. baileyi, C. serpentis and a Hepatozoon species. We conclude that intensively farmed snakes excrete C. parvum and C. baileyi oocysts due to ingestion of infected feeder animals, and that wild snakes in central China were commonly infected with S. erinaceieuropaei, suggesting that eating improperly cooked snakes could be risky to human health. Cryptosporidium parvum and C. baileyi were reported in farmed snakes in China for the first time. C. serpentis was detected for the first time in Ptyas dhumnades and Gloydius brevicaudus. A tentative new Hapatozoon species was first time recorded in wild Lycodon rufozonatus and G. brevicaudus. Spirometra erinaceieuropaei infection was found common in wild snakes from central China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
- Lab Animal Research Center, Hubei University of Chinese Medicine, Wuhan, China
| | - Rui Qi
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Hui-Ju Han
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Jian-Wei Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiang-Rong Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Li-Zhu Fang
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Chuan-Min Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xiao-Qing Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Si-Cong Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
| | - Xue-Jie Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences, Wuhan University, Wuhan, PR China
- Corresponding author. Professor and Dean State Key Laboratory of Virology, School of Health Sciences Wuhan University, Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China.
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