title: Detection and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium parvum in British European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus).
abstract: Surveillance was conducted for the occurrence of protozoan parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium in European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in Great Britain. In total, 108 voided faecal samples were collected from hedgehogs newly admitted to eight wildlife casualty treatment and rehabilitation centres. Terminal large intestinal (LI) contents from three hedgehog carcasses were also analysed. Information on host and location variables, including faecal appearance, body weight, and apparent health status, was compiled. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) targeting the 18S ribosomal RNA gene, confirmed by sequencing, revealed an 8% (9/111) occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum in faeces or LI contents, with no significant association between the host or location variables and infection. Archived small intestinal (SI) tissue from a hedgehog with histological evidence of cryptosporidiosis was also positive for C. parvum by PCR and sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene. No other Cryptosporidium species were detected. PCR and sequencing of the glycoprotein 60 gene identified three known zoonotic C. parvum subtypes not previously found in hedgehogs: IIdA17G1 (n=4), IIdA19G1 (n=1) and IIdA24G1 (n=1). These subtypes are also known to infect livestock. Another faecal sample contained C. parvum IIcA5G3j which has been found previously in hedgehogs, and for which there is one published report in a human, but is not known to affect livestock. The presence of zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum in British hedgehogs highlights a potential public health concern. Further research is needed to better understand the epidemiology and potential impacts of Cryptosporidium infection in hedgehogs.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sangster
authors.affiliation: The Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, North Mymms, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 7TA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Damer P
authors.initials: DP
authors.lastname: Blake
authors.affiliation: Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology ABM, Singleton Hospital, Sgeti, Swansea SA2 8QA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Timothy C
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Hopkins
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Ricardo C C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Sa
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Andrew A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.affiliation: Cryptosporidium Reference Unit, Public Health Wales Microbiology ABM, Singleton Hospital, Sgeti, Swansea SA2 8QA, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rachel M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Chalmers
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom. Electronic address: becki.lawson@ioz.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Becki
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lawson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000469:parasitology*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000235:genetics; D006364:Hedgehogs / Q000469:parasitology*; D007420:Intestine, Large / Q000469:parasitology; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D006023:Glycoproteins; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: 18S rRNA; Cryptosporidium parvum; Erinaceus europaeus; European hedgehog; gp60