title: Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from fecal samples of birds kept in captivity in Brazil.
abstract: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in birds kept in captivity in Brazil. A total of 966 samples from 18 families of birds was collected and stored in 5% potassium dichromate solution at 4 degrees C until processing. Oocysts were purified in Sheather sugar solution following extraction of genomic DNA. Molecular analyses were performed using nested-PCR for amplification of fragments of the 18S subunit of rRNA gene and of the actin gene. Amplification of Cryptosporidium DNA fragments was obtained in 47 (4.86%) samples. Sequencing of amplified fragments and phylogenetic analyses allowed the identification of Cryptosporidium baileyi in a black vulture (Coragyps atratus), a domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) and a saffron finch (Sicalis flaveola); Cryptosporidium galli in canaries (Serinus canaria), a cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) and lesser seed-finches (Oryzoborus angolensis); Cryptosporidium meleagridis in a domestic chicken (G. g. domesticus); Cryptosporidium parvum in a cockatiel (N. hollandicus); Cryptosporidium avian genotype I in a canary (S. canaria) and an Indian peafowl (Pavo cristatus); Cryptosporidium avian genotype II in ostriches (Struthio camelus) and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in a cockatiel (N. hollandicus) and a peach-faced lovebird (Agapornis roseicolis).
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Medicina Veterinária Preventiva e Saúde Animal, FMVZ, USP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alex Akira
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Nakamura
authors.forename: Daniel Castendo
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Simões
authors.forename: Rômulo Godik
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Antunes
authors.forename: Deuvânia Carvalho
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Marcelo Vasconcelos
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Meireles
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D000836:Animals, Zoo / Q000469:parasitology*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D001717:Birds; D001938:Brazil; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S