title: Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in seagulls, pigeons, dogs, and cats in Thailand.
abstract: Zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp., particularly C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. felis, are enteric protozoa responsible for major public health concerns around the world. To determine the spread of this parasite in Thailand, we conducted molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. from animal samples around the country, by collecting and investigating the feces of seagulls (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus and Chroicocephalus ridibundus), domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), dogs, and cats. Seagull and pigeon samples were collected at the seaside and on the riverside to evaluate their potential for waterborne transmission. Ten pigeon samples were combined into one set, and a total of seven sets were collected. Seventy seagull samples were combined into one set, and a total of 13 sets were collected. In addition, 111 dog samples were collected from cattle farms, and 95 dog and 80 cat samples were collected from a temple. We identified C. meleagridis in pigeons, Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls, C. canis in dogs, and C. felis in cats. In the temple, the prevalence was 2.1% (2/95) for dogs and 2.5% (2/80) for cats. No Cryptosporidium was found in dog samples from cattle farms. These are the first findings of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons, and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls. Our study invites further molecular epidemiological investigations of Cryptosporidium in these animals and their environment to evaluate the public health risk in Thailand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Khuanchai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Koompapong
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Hirotake
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mori
authors.affiliation: Department of Tropical Pediatrics, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nipa
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Thammasonthijarern
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Rapeepun
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Prasertbun
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Ai-rada
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Pintong
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Supaluk
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Popruk
authors.affiliation: Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wichit
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rojekittikhun
authors.affiliation: Department of Helminthology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Kittipong
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Chaisiri
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Yaowalark
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sukthana
authors.affiliation: Department of Protozoology, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
authors.forename: Aongart
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mahittikorn
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic / Q000469:parasitology; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D002415:Cats / Q000469:parasitology*; D046091:Charadriiformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D010856:Columbidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000635:transmission; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000469:parasitology; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D004285:Dogs / Q000469:parasitology*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005838:Genotype; D058507:Host Specificity; D016053:RNA, Protozoan / Q000235:genetics; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics; D012689:Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; D013045:Species Specificity; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D014876:Water Pollution; D015047:Zoonoses
chemical_list: D016053:RNA, Protozoan; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal