Cryptosporidium varanii infection in leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) in Argentina

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium serpentis in Captive Snakes in China

Cryptosporidium species are the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis and common intracellular parasites that can infect a wide range of vertebrates, including snakes. In previous studies, Cryptosporidium species infections have been reported in snakes in Asia, Europe, and North America. However, limited information is available about the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in captive snakes in China. Fecal specimens from 609 captive snakes were collected from Beijing (n = 227), Chengdu (n = 12), Dazhou (n = 359), and Ziyang (n = 11). The partial small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene was amplified by nested polymerase chain reaction to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, and a phylogenetic tree was constructed to assess evolutionary relationships and genetic characteristics. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 1.97% (12/609). BLAST and phylogenetic analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene showed that the parasites belonged to Cryptosporidium serpentis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in snakes of southwestern and northern China and provides preliminary data for the control and prevention of cryptosporidiosis in the investigated areas.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from domestic pigs in Argentina

Cryptosporidiosis in pigs is caused by different Cryptosporidium species or genotypes, with C. suis and C. scrofarum considered porcine specific species. There is scarce information on Cryptosporidium infection in pigs in South America. A total of 520 individual faecal samples were obtained from 1, 2, 3 and 4 week old piglets (n = 130 from each age group), from 13 Argentinean intensive pig farms. The diagnosis of species of Cryptosporidium combined microscopy and molecular techniques. Genotyping from samples with Cryptosporidium oocysts at microscopy was performed by genus-specific and species-specific nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene fragments, and sequencing. Microscopic analysis detected Cryptosporidium oocysts in 47/520 (9%) faecal samples from 11/13 (85%) farms, with farm infection rates between 0 and 17.5%. Presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was associated with diarrhea. The proportion of microscopically positive samples was not associated with piglet age. A total of 15/47 (32% of samples with oocyst compatible structures) were positive by genus and species-specific nested PCR. Species-specific PCR and sequencing showed presence of C. suis, C. scrofarum, and both species in 3, 8 and 4 samples, respectively. The proportion of positive samples on each specific PCR was similar between age groups, being C. suis proportion slightly higher in 4 week old piglets. The use of molecular tools allowed the confirmation of C. suis and C. scrofarum infection in Argentinean pigs. Cryptosporidiosis was widely distributed in the main pig husbandry area from Argentina, with a low to moderate intra farm infection rate.

Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium isolates from ill exotic pet animals in Japan including a new subtype in Cryptosporidium fayeri

Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular parasite which can cause fatal diarrheal disease in exotic animals. Sugar gliders (Petaurus breviceps), hedgehogs (Atelerix albiventris), chinchillas (Chinchilla lanigera), and common leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularius) are popular exotic animals commonly sold in pet shops in Japan. We herein investigated the species and subtypes of Cryptosporidium in these animals. Cryptosporidium fayeri was detected in a sugar glider in a Japanese animal hospital. Sequence analyses of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene revealed that C. fayeri belonged to subtype family IVh (IVhA13G2T1), which was proposed to be a new subtype. This is the first study to report C. fayeri infection in a sugar glider. In other animals, the Cryptosporidium horse genotype, C. ubiquitum, and C. varanii were detected in two four-toed hedgehogs (A. albiventris), a chinchilla (C. lanigera), and common leopard gecko (E. macularius), respectively. The gp60 subtypes identified were VIbA13 of the horse genotype and XIId of C. ubiquitum. The present results revealed that potentially zoonotic Cryptosporidium is widespread in exotic animals in Japan.

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Cryptosporidium was detected from ill exotic pet animals in Japan.

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Cryptosporidium fayeri was detected for the first time from a sugar glider.

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The new 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) subtype family IVh was detected from Cryptosporidium fayeri.