title: Fatal cryptosporidiosis in a juvenile captive African hedgehog (Ateletrix albiventris).
abstract: Fatal intestinal cryptosporidiosis of unknown source and unexplained epizootiology is reported in a neonatal captive African hedgehog (Ateletrinx albiventris) and for the first time in a hedgehog species. The infection, confined to ileum, jejunum, and colon, was extremely severe in the lower jejunum where over 75% of the epithelial cells harbored the pathogen. The ileum and the jejunum displayed moderate and severe villus atrophy and mucosal hyperplasia. Lamina propria and mucosa were infiltrated by eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages. Developmental stages of Cryptosporidium sp. produced a positive reaction with immunofluorescent antibody for detection of the human pathogen, Cryptosporidium parvum. Personnel of captive centers with hedgehogs should be alerted and undertake appropriate precautions to prevent zoonotic transmission. Commercially offered hedgehog-pets may pose a risk for Cryptosporidium infection for human immunodeficiency virus-infected people.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, School of Hygiene and Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA.
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Graczyk
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Cranfield
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dunning
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Strandberg
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D000836:Animals, Zoo; D003106:Colon / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000469:parasitology*; D007082:Ileum / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D007411:Intestinal Diseases, Parasitic / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000469:parasitology / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D015047:Zoonoses