Cryptosporidium-associated enteritis in captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Cryptosporidium spp. sporadically infect a range of Australian native mammals including koalas, red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, bilbies and brush tailed possums and can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections. Traditionally considered a disease of the young or immuno-compromised, and resulting in profuse diarrhoea in other species, here we report an atypical clinical syndrome associated with Cryptosporidium in a captive population of koalas. All affected animals were in-contact adults, and demonstrated anorexia, dehydration and abdominal pain in the absence of diarrhoea. Following euthanasia on welfare grounds, Cryptosporidium infection was confirmed postmortem in three of four symptomatic animals via faecal floatation and/or intestinal histopathology, with enteritis also diagnosed in the fourth koala. Further screening of the captive colony found the outbreak had been contained. Based on sequencing the cause of the infection was C. fayeri, but the source was undetermined. In conclusion, Cryptosporidium should be considered as a possible cause of generalised illness in koalas.

The Gut-Wrenching Effects of Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis in Children

Cryptosporidium species and Giardia duodenalis are infectious intestinal protozoan pathogens that cause alarming rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Children are more likely to have clinical symptoms due to their less developed immune systems and factors such as undernutrition, especially in low- and middle-income countries. The severity of the symptoms and clinical manifestations in children may vary from asymptomatic to life-threatening depending on the Cryptosporidium species/G. duodenalis strains and the resulting complex stepwise interactions between the parasite, the host nutritional and immunologic status, and the gut microbiome profile. Structural damages inflicted by both parasites to epithelial cells in the large and small intestines could severely impair children's gut health, including the ability to absorb nutrients, resulting in stunted growth, diminished neurocognitive development, and other long-term effects. Clinically approved cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis drugs have broad antimicrobial effects that have incomprehensible impacts on growing children's gut health.

Molecular identification and antiprotozoal activity of silver nanoparticles on viability of Cryptosporidium parvum isolated from pigeons, pigeon fanciers and water

Cryptosporidium is a protozoan that causes acute gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, and diarrhea in many vertebrate species, including humans, animals and birds. A number of studies have reported the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in domestic pigeons. Thus, this study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium spp. in samples collected from domestic pigeons, pigeon fanciers, and drinking water, as well as to investigate the antiprotozoal activity of biosynthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the viability of isolated Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). Samples were collected from domestic pigeons (n = 150), pigeon fanciers (n = 50), and drinking water (n = 50) and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using microscopic and molecular techniques. The antiprotozoal activity of AgNPs was then assessed both in vitro and in vivo. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 16.4% of all examined samples, with C. parvum identified in 5.6%. The highest frequency of isolation was from domestic pigeon, rather than from pigeon fanciers or drinking water. In domestic pigeons, there was a significant association between Cryptosporidium spp. positivity and pigeon's age, droppings consistency, housing, hygienic and heath conditions. However, Cryptosporidium spp. positivity was only significantly associated with pigeon fanciers' gender and heath condition. The viability of C. parvum oocysts was reduced using AgNPs at various concentrations and storage times in a descending manner. In an in vitro study, the highest reduction in C. parvum count was observed at the AgNPs concentration of 1000 µg/mL after a 24 h contact time, followed by the AgNPs concentration of 500 µg/mL after a 24 h contact time. However, after a 48 h contact time, a complete reduction was observed at both 1000 and 500 µg/mL concentrations. Overall, the count and viability of C. parvum decreased with increasing the AgNPs concentration and contact times in both the in vitro and in vivo studies. Furthermore, the C. parvum oocyst destruction was time-dependent and increased with increasing the contact time at various AgNPs concentrations.

Enteric protozoal infections in camels: Etiology, epidemiology, and future perspectives

Camels have great potential as a safety valve for current and future food security for pastoralists, agropastoralists, and urban populations. Enteric protozoal diseases are important causes of economic losses in camels; however, they are poorly concerned globally. The most common members of enteric protozoa are Balantidium, Eimeria, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Some of them threaten human health as humans can be infected by consuming food or water contaminated with camel feces, particularly in poor communities with inadequate sanitation and low-quality healthcare facilities. For these reasons, a comprehensive and careful investigation was conducted on some enteric protozoal diseases of camels to present an updated insight into the etiology, epidemiology, and future trends in diagnosing and controlling camel enteric protozoa. Future studies on the camel enteric protozoa should be carried out to develop advanced diagnostic approaches in diverse farm animal species. Moreover, the protozoan zoonotic potential should be considered to secure human health.

Overview on Cryptosporidium bovis and Its Effect on Calves in Some Governorates in Egypt

The present study was conducted to elucidate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium bovis in suckling and weaned cattle calves (Bubalus bubalis) from different governorates in northern, middle, and southern Egypt, such as Behera, Menofia, Qaliubiya, Assiut, and Sohag; result revealed that from the overall examined fecal samples (n = 825), the overall prevalence was 7.27%, the highest significant infection rate was in young suckling calves less than one month (8.2%), and seasonally, winter season has the highest significant level (11.24%), but sex and locality were of no significant effect on the prevalence of infection in this study. Gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the 18SSU-rRNA gene of the local bovine isolate were performed, and it was found that C. bovis genotype was highly similar to human isolate, which provoke the zoonotic transmission of bovine isolate to humans and identified as a potential source for human cryptosporidiosis infection in Egypt.

Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium viatorum Infection in a Patient Suffering from Unusual Cryptosporidiosis in West Bengal, India

In this study, we have collected and screened a total of 268 stool samples from diarrheal patients admitted to an Infectious disease hospital in Kolkata for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. The initial diagnosis was carried out by microscopy followed by genus specific polymerase chain reaction assays based on 70 kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70). DNA sequencing of the amplified locus has been employed for determination of genetic diversity of the local isolates. Out of 268 collected samples, 12 (4.48%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Sequences analysis of 70 kDa heat shock proteins locus in 12 Cryptosporidium local isolates revealed that 2.24% and 1.86% of samples were showing 99% to 100% identity with C. parvum and C. hominis. Along with the other 2 major species one recently described globally distributed pathogenic species Cryptosporidium viatorum has been identified. The HSP70 locus sequence of the isolate showed 100% similarity with a previously described isolate of C. viatorum (Accession No. JX978274.1, JX978273.1, and JN846706.1) present in GenBank.

Cryptosporidium spp. during chemotherapy: a cross-sectional study of 94 patients with malignant solid tumor

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that infects many vertebrate animals, including humans. Since Cryptosporidium spp. can cause chronic life-threatening diarrhea and severe malabsorption in immunocompromised patients, we investigated the prevalence of this parasite among patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors.

OBJECTIVE

Investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in stool samples.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Tertiary care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Stool samples were collected from adult patients with malignant solid tumors receiving chemotherapy and diarrhea. Cryptosporidium spp. prevalence was determined using Ziehl-Neelsen staining, ELISA, and real-time PCR targeting of the COWP gene.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in patients undergoing chemotherapy for malignant solid tumors.

SAMPLE SIZE

94 RESULTS: The prevalence was 2.1% (2/94), 5.3% (5/94), and 5.3% (5/94) as detected by Ziehl-Neelsen staining, real-time PCR and ELISA, respectively. The prevalence reached 8.5% (8/94) using all results obtained from the three methods. Among eight positive stool samples, four were positive by at least two different methods (Ziehl-Neelsen staining-ELISA or ELISA-real-time PCR) whereas the remaining four were positive by either ELISA or real-time PCR.

CONCLUSION

These findings show the risk of cryptosporidiosis in cancer patients and the necessity to use at least two diagnostic methods during the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis to reach more accurate and trustworthy results.

LIMITATIONS

Further studies with a larger sample size are recommended.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

None.

Comparison Study about Selected Human Infection of Zoonotic Cryptosporidiosis by Conventional Diagnostic Methods in Karbala Province, Iraq

This study was carried out to detect the Cryptosporidium spp in Karbala province, Iraq from. December 2019 to September 2020. Age, sex, and months interference with parasite prevalence were studied. A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from adults and young and from both sexes of human. Fecal samples were subjected to conventional methods (Flotation Methods by Sheather's sugar solution and stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen) for parasite diagnosis. The result recorded that the infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp was 26%. The age group of 2-6 years had the highest infection rate comparing to other age groups ranged from 12-25 years yet was marginal significant (P<0.06). Regarding sex, there was no significant differences in infection rate, although the males recorded numerically higher rate of prevalence. The rate of infection of Cryptosporidium spp were varied among months, where in February recorded 46.66% in contrast to 10% recorded in July. It can be concluded that variables studied (age, sex, and months) have no influence on Cryptosporidium prevalence in Karbala province.

Successful experimental infant baboon model for childhood cryptosporidiosis studies

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidiosis causes high morbidity and mortality in children under 2 years of age globally. The lack of an appropriate animal model that mimics the pathogenesis of disease in humans has hampered the development and testing of potential therapeutic options. This study aimed to develop and validate an infant baboon infection model of cryptosporidiosis.

METHODS

Eighteen immunocompetent weaned infant baboons aged 12 to 16 months were used. The animals were n = 3 controls and three experimental groups of n = 5 animals each inoculated with Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts as follows: group 1: 2 × 104, group 2: 2 × 105, group 3: 2 × 106 followed by daily fecal sampling for oocyst evaluation. Blood sampling for immunological assay was done on the day of infection and weekly thereafter until the end of the experiment, followed by necropsy and histopathology. Statistical analysis was performed using R, SPSS, and GraphPad Prism software. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post hoc tests were used for comparison of the means, with p < 0.05 considered as a significant difference. Correlation coefficient and probit analysis were also performed.

RESULTS

In all experimental animals but not controls, the onset of oocyst shedding occurred between days 2 and 4, with the highest oocyst shedding occurring between days 6 and 28. Histological analysis revealed parasite establishment only in infected animals. Levels of cytokines (TNF-α, IFN-γ, and IL-10) increased significantly in experimental groups compared to controls.

CONCLUSION

For developing a reproducible infant baboon model, 2 × 104 oocysts were an effective minimum quantifiable experimental infection dose.

Performance of formalin ethyl acetate, percoll sedimentation and ELISA for the detection of Cryptosporidium infection in asymptomatic children

This study aimed to assess the performance of formalin ethyl acetate (FEA)/modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN), and percoll technique/MZN for the diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis among asymptomatic children compared to ELISA coproantigen. The study was conducted on 100 children in a rural area in Kafr El-Sheikh governorate. Stool samples were collected and examined by the three techniques. Microscopic examination revealed the presence of acid-fast stained oocysts and non-acid fast ghost oocysts. The overall prevalence rate was 7% with an infection intensity of 1-5 oocysts/oil immersion field. FEA/MZN technique showed the highest diagnostic performance (5%) with 71.4% sensitivity and 98% negative predictive value (NPV) compared to the other techniques. ELISA revealed 3% prevalence, 42.9% sensitivity and 96% NPV. Percoll/MZN gave the lowest prevalence, sensitivity and NPV (1%, 14.29% and 93.9% respectively). Agreement fluctuated between moderate and poor regarding FEA/MZN versus ELISA and percoll/MZN versus both techniques. In conclusion, FEA/MZN gave the top diagnostic performance, yet it missed some positive cases. Its combination with ELISA coproantigen might prove beneficial for Cryptosporidium diagnosis. Percoll technique needs more validation by modifying the density gradient, speed of centrifugation, and staining methods.

Cryptosporidium-Biofilm Interactions: a Review

Biofilms are increasingly implicated as playing a major role in waterborne cryptosporidiosis. This review aims to synthesize all currently available data on interactions between Cryptosporidium oocysts and biofilms. Initially described following a waterborne outbreak, the integration of Cryptosporidium oocysts in biofilm has been well demonstrated. Biofilms appear important in the dissemination/protection of oocysts in the environment. Consequently, it has been suggested that substrate-associated biofilms should be systematically considered in oocyst water quality assessment. The influence of physicochemical parameters has been studied on oocyst biofilm retention. Biofilm surface roughness, ionic concentration (especially Ca²⁺), laminar/turbulent flow, shear stress, and electrostatic repulsion forces appear important to consider regarding oocyst release from biofilm. However, data analysis carried out during this review also revealed important gaps in biological interactions within biofilms, offering many perspectives for future work.

Cryptosporidium infection among people living with HIV/AIDS in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Studies on the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are inconsistent and heterogeneous. Therefore, this systematic review with meta-analysis was performed to assess the burden of the infection relative to the proportion of CD4 + T cell count among PLWHA in Ethiopia. Articles published before 15 May 2019, have been retrieved for this systematic review using five databases; PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and ProQuest, supplemented by the search for gray literature. The overall pooled prevalence and pooled Odds Ratio (OR) with their 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) were estimated using STATA 14 statistical Software. Of the 255 studies retrieved, 31 were considered for the final analysis. As many as 8,645 Ethiopians infected with HIV were included in the final quantitative synthesis. The overall pooled prevalence estimate of Cryptosporidium infection among PLWHA in Ethiopia was 11% (95%CI: 0.09-0.13). HIV-infected people with low CD4 + T cell count (CD4 < 200 cells/mm3) were 13.07 times more likely to become infected with Cryptosporidium than those with high CD4 + T cell count (CD4 > 500 cells/mm3) (OR: 13.07 (95%CI: 6.38-26.75). Cryptosporidium infection in PLWHA in Ethiopia showed decreasing patterns in 2001-2010, 2011-2014, and in 2015-2019, 14.6% (95%CI: 0.076-0.217), 12.71% (95%CI: 0.086-0.167) and 6.7% (95%CI: 0.044-0.090), respectively (p < 0.001). Though the pattern of Cryptosporidium infection in HIV-infected Ethiopians showed a declining trend; it remains a considerable problem that requires improvement in routine screening for Cryptosporidium in HIV-infected people, particularly with poor or declining CD4 + T cell count.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from diarrheal dairy calves in France

Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular protist parasite infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts and causes significant intestinal disease in both animals and humans, as some species are zoonotic. Cattle and especially calves have been identified as one of the most common reservoirs of this protist. However, little is known about the genetics of Cryptosporidium in calves in some regions of France. The aim of this study was to detect and isolate Cryptosporidium spp. in faecal samples from naturally infected pre-weaned calves (≤45 days-old) in France. A total of 35 diarrhoeic pre-weaned calf faecal samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle farms in six departments (French administrative provinces). Cryptosporidium presence was established by microscopically screening samples for oocystes with an immunofluorescent (DFA) staining method. DFA-positive samples were then analysed by PCR-RFLP and 18S rRNA gene sequencing to determine species. Cryptosporidium parvum-positive samples were subtyped via nested PCR analysis of a partial fragment of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene product. Data were then integrated into phylogenetic tree analysis. DFA revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 31 out of 35 (88%) samples. Combined with 18S rRNA gene analysis results, C. parvum was detected in 30 samples. Subtyping analysis in 27/30 samples (90%) of the C. parvum isolates revealed two zoonotic subtype families, IIa (24/27) and IId (3/27). Four subtypes were recognised within the subtype family IIa, including the hypertransmissible IIaA15G2R1 subtype that is the most frequently reported worldwide (21/27), IIaA17G3R1 (1/27), IIaA17G1R1 (1/27), and IIaA19G1R1 (1/27). Two subtypes were recognised within the IId subtype family including IIdA22G1 (2/27) and IIdA27G1 (1/27). These findings illustrate the high occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves in dairy herds and increase the diversity of molecularly characterised C. parvum isolates with the first description of IIaA17G3R1, IIaA19G1R1, and IId subtypes in France. The presence of zoonotic C. parvum subtype families (IIa, IId) in this study suggests that pre-weaned calves are likely to be a significant reservoir of zoonotic C. parvum, and highlights the importance of animal to human cryptosporidiosis transmission risk. Further molecular studies in calves and small ruminants from other French regions are required to better understand the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in France.

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Faecal samples from pre-weaned diarrheal calves were analysed

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Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 30 samples out of 35.

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C. parvum was the only species identified

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Two zoonotic subtype families were identified: IIa and IId

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The hyper-transmissible IIaA15G2R1 was the dominant C. parvum subtype

Occurrence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and Giardia duodenalis species/genotypes in urban rodents

This report describes the detection of zoonotic Cryptosporidium muris, C. parvum subgenotype IIa and Giardia duodenalis genotype B in urban rodents in Malaysia. A rare occurrence of C. meleagridis was also reported suggesting a role of rodents in mechanical transmission of this pathogen. Utilization of DNA sequencing and subtyping analysis confirmed the presence of zoonotic C. parvum subtypes IIaA17G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1 for the first time in rodents.

Cryptosporidiosis: A zoonotic disease concern

Cryptosporidiosis is considered to be a crucial zoonotic disease caused by worldwide distributing parasitic protozoa called Cryptosporidium spp. Cryptosporidiosis becomes a major public health and veterinary concern by affecting in human and various host range species of animals. Essentially, its importance of infection is increasing because of the high incidence in young children, immunocompromised persons, or immunodeficiency syndrome patients, especially in HIV/AIDS, and it is also one of the most causes of mortality in those patients who infected with Cryptosporidium spp. as well as young animals. All domestic animal, livestock, wildlife, and human can be potential reservoirs that contribute Cryptosporidium spp. to food and surface waters and transmitted to other hosts through fecal-oral route. The oocyst stage of Cryptosporidium spp. can remain infective and resistant to various environmental exposure and also resistant to many general disinfecting agents including chlorination which normally used in water treatment. Therefore, the understanding of these zoonotic pathogens is very essential in both animal and human health. This review focuses on the biology, life cycle, transmission, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and control of this protozoan infection to emphasize and remind as the significant One Health problem.