Common occurrence of Cryptosporidium hominis in horses and donkeys.
Extensive genetic variation is observed within the genus Cryptosporidium and the distribution of Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in humans and animals appears to vary by geography and host species. To better understand the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys, we characterized five horse-derived and 82 donkey-derived Cryptosporidium isolates from five provinces or autonomous regions (Sichuan, Gansu, Henan, Inner Mongolia and Shandong) in China at the species/genotype and subtype levels. Three Cryptosporidium species/genotypes were identified based on the analysis of the SSU rRNA gene, including Cryptosporidium parvum (n=22), the Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n=4), and Cryptosporidium hominis (n=61). The identification of C. hominis was confirmed by sequence analysis of the HSP70 and actin genes. Subtyping using sequence analysis of the 60kDa glycoprotein gene identified 21 C. parvum isolates as subtype IIdA19G1, the four horse genotype isolates as subtypes VIaA15G4 (n=2) and VIaA11G3 (n=2), and the 61 C. hominis isolates as IkA16G1 (n=59) and IkA16 (n=2). The common finding of C. hominis reaffirms the heterogeneity of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and donkeys and is possibly a reflection of endemic transmission of C. hominis in these animals. Data of the study suggest that horses and donkeys as companion animals may potentially transmit Cryptosporidium infections to humans.
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Fuchun
F
Jian
Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
Aiqin
A
Liu
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Rongjun
R
Wang
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Sumei
S
Zhang
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Meng
M
Qi
Department of Parasitology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150081, China.
Wei
W
Zhao
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Yadong
Y
Shi
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Jianling
J
Wang
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China.
Jiujian
J
Wei
College of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, Henan 450002, China. Electronic address: zhanglx8999@henau.edu.cn.
Longxian
L
Zhang
Division of Foodborne, Waterborne, and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. Electronic address: lxiao@cdc.gov.
Lihua
L
Xiao
D000818:Animals; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D016785:Cryptosporidium parvum / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics*; D018397:Equidae / Q000469:parasitology; D015870:Gene Expression; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D006734:Horse Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D006736:Horses / Q000469:parasitology; D058889:Molecular Typing; D010802:Phylogeny; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics*
D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
Cryptosporidium; Donkey; Genotyping; Horse; SSU rRNA gene; Subtyping; gp60 gene