title: Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in captive lesser panda (Ailurus fulgens) in China.
abstract: Cryptosporidium is a global epidemic parasite and one of the most important intestinal pathogens causing diarrhea in animals and humans. Despite extensive research on this parasite group, little is known about rates of Cryptosporidium infection in lesser pandas. In this study, we use molecular diagnostic tools to detect Cryptosporidium infections and identify Cryptosporidium species in the lesser panda. Using a PCR approach, we sequenced the 18S rRNA gene in fecal samples collected from 110 captive lesser pandas held throughout China (approximately one third of the captive population). We determined Cryptosporidium species via a BLAST comparison of our sequences against those of published Cryptosporidium sequences available in GenBank and subsequent phylogenetic analysis. We report that captive lesser pandas were infected with a single Cryptosporidium species, Cryptosporidium andersoni, at a prevalence of 6.36 % (7/110). The present investigation revealed the existence of C. andersoni infection in captive lesser panda and suggested that proper control measures should be taken carefully to protect the welfare of zoo workers and visitors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, No.46, Xingkang Road, Yucheng District, Ya'an, 625014, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zuqin
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Xie
authors.forename: Xiaobing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Gu
authors.forename: Weiming
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: Xuerong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
authors.forename: Guangyou
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D053822:Ailuridae / Q000469:parasitology*; D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence