title: Natural infection with two genotypes of Cryptosporidium in red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) in Italy.
abstract: We investigated the genotypes of Cryptosporidium infecting red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris L.) in two areas of the Western Alps in Italy. Examination of 141 faecal samples from 70 red squirrels revealed oocysts of Cryptosporidium in 17 animals (24.3%). Based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing, two genotypes of Cryptosporidium species were found: 15 squirrels were positive for the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and 2 for the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I. The occurrence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection did not differ between the study areas or sex. More than 85% of the positive animals were adults; however no difference was found between Cryptosporidium infection in the juvenile and adult age groups. Oocysts of the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype measured 5.5 +/- 0.3 x 5.2 +/- 0.2 microm (shape index 1.06) and the Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I 5.8 +/- 0.3 x 5.4 +/- 0.3 microm (shape index 1.07). Neonatal and adult CD1 and BABL/c mice inoculated with 1 x 10(3) fresh oocysts of both genotypes did not produce detectable infection.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Parasitology, Biology Centre of the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branisovská 31, 370 05 Ceské Budejovice, Czech Republic. kvac@centrum.cz
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kvác
authors.forename: Lada
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Hofmannová
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertolino
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wauters
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tosi
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Modrý
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005838:Genotype; D005843:Geography; D007558:Italy; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D012589:Sciuridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S