title: Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium isolates from exotic pet animals in Japan.
abstract: The Cryptosporidium horse genotype, a zoonotic protozoan parasite first found in a Prezewalski wild horse, has not been found in any other mammal but calves, horses, and humans. Hedgehogs, popular exotic pet animals in Japan, are a reservoir of two zoonotic Cryptosporidum: C. parvum and C. erinacei (previously known as the hedgehog genotype). Recently, after finding Cryptosporidium infection in a four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), we identified the isolate genetically as the Cryptosporidium horse genotype. Its subtype (VIbA13) was the same as that of an isolate from a pet shop employee with severe clinical symptoms, as reported previously from sequencing analysis of the partial Cryptosporidum 60kDa glycoprotein gene sequence. The occurrence of this genotype in hedgehog indicates that the horse genotype has broad host specificity. This report is the first of a study identifying isolates from pet reptiles genetically in Japan. The study identified a new host (Teratoscincus scincus) in C. serpentis lizard genotype by sequencing analysis of partial SSU rRNA and actin genes.
authors: Department of Microbiology, Osaka City Institute of Public Health and Environmental Sciences, Tojo-cho 8-34, Tennoji-ku, Osaka 543-0026, Japan. Electronic address: niichiro@gmail.com.
authors: Niichiro
authors: N
authors: Abe
authors: Banquet Animal Hospital, Ikejiri 3-16-4, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo 154-0001, Japan.
authors: Katsuki
authors: K
authors: Matsubara
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000068881:Animals, Exotic; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification*; D006364:Hedgehogs; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D057805:Pets
keywords: Atelerix albiventris; Cryptosporidium horse genotype; Cryptosporidium serpentis; Cryptosporidium varanii; Four-toed hedgehog