title: Cryptosporidiosis associated with animal contacts.
abstract: Transmission of Cryptosporidium sp. within the general public was studied. We were looking for a possible risk of infection associated with animal contacts. Investigation of the animal contacts of affected individuals led to the formulation of the hypothesis that animals are a source of cryptosporidiosis. The research was done in the Region of Ljubljana, an area with 587,000 inhabitants during a period of three years. Stool specimens of 338 persons with acute enteric diseases were positive for Cryptosporidium sp. Diagnosis was done with an immunofluorescence test and modified Ziel-Neelsen staining. Processing of statistical data was done with the medical software application EPI INFO 6. According to our questionnaire, direct contact with animals occurred in 49 of the 338 cases of cryptosporidiosis, and was more frequently registered in males (Odds ratio = 1.96). Subgenotyping analysis revealed the presence of two subgenotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum bovine (GPB and GPC) in humans. These data indicate that genetic heterogeneity in C. parvum bovine genotype exists in a localized area and that farm animals can be a source of infection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Public Health of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. stantic@bigfoot.com
authors.forename: Mirjana
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stantic-Pavlinic
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Xiao
authors.forename: Scott
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Glaberman
authors.forename: Altaf A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Toni
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Orazen
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rataj-Verglez
authors.forename: Jernej
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Logar
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Berce
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000635:transmission* / Q000662:veterinary*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D015047:Zoonoses