Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in captive reptiles.
The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in reptiles was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. A total of 123 samples were analyzed, of which 48 snake samples, 24 lizard samples, and 3 tortoise samples were positive for Cryptosporidium: Nine different types of Cryptosporidium were found, including Cryptosporidium serpentis, Cryptosporidium desert monitor genotype, Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium parvum bovine and mouse genotypes, one C. serpentis-like parasite in a lizard, two new Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes, and one new Cryptosporidium sp. in tortoises. C. serpentis and the desert monitor genotype were the most common parasites and were found in both snakes and lizards, whereas the C. muris and C. parvum parasites detected were probably the result of ingestion of infected rodents. Sequence and biologic characterizations indicated that the desert monitor genotype was Cryptosporidium saurophilum. Two host-adapted C. serpentis genotypes were found in snakes and lizards.
Xiao
Lihua
L
Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30341, USA. lxiao@cdc.gov
Ryan
Una M
UM
Graczyk
Thaddeus K
TK
Limor
Josef
J
Li
Lixia
L
Kombert
Mark
M
Junge
Randy
R
Sulaiman
Irshad M
IM
Zhou
Ling
L
Arrowood
Michael J
MJ
Koudela
Bretislav
B
Modrý
David
D
Lal
Altaf A
AA
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002417:Cattle; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000032:analysis; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D008116:Lizards / Q000382:microbiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012104:Reptiles / Q000382:microbiology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012911:Snakes / Q000382:microbiology
D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal