title: Quantitative shedding of two genotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi).
abstract: Sixteen percent of California ground squirrels (Spermophilus beecheyi) were found to be shedding an average of 53,875 Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts/g of feces. Male squirrels had a higher prevalence and higher intensity of shedding than did female squirrels. The majority of C. parvum isolates matched a bovine-murine genotype, with a few isolates resembling a porcine genotype. Higher intensities of shedding by males may enhance dissemination and genotypic mixing of this protozoa given males' proclivity to disperse to nonnatal colonies.
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California-Davis, Tulare, California 93274, USA. ratwill@vmtrc.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: E R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Atwill
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Camargo
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: L H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Alonso
authors.forename: K W
authors.initials: KW
authors.lastname: Tate
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Jensen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bennet
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Little
authors.forename: T P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Salmon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002140:California; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004777:Environment; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology*; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012589:Sciuridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D012737:Sex Factors