Is Cryptosporidium from the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) a new species and distinct from Cryptosporidium ubiquitum?
The emerging zoonotic pathogen Cryptosporidium ubiquitum has been found in a variety of mammalian hosts, including humans, throughout the world. Advances in the molecular characterization of this parasite using the sequence of the 60kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene have allowed the classification of "subtypes". Sequences derived from faecal samples from the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) have identified a novel gp60 subtype designated here as C. ubiquitum XIIg. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that subtypes of C. ubiquitum can be divided into generalist and specialist groups, which is important when considering the zoonotic potential of C. ubiquitum in the context of drinking water safety.
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: anson.koehler@unimelb.edu.au.
Anson V
AV
Koehler
Melbourne Water, Docklands, Victoria 3008, Australia. Electronic address: shane.haydon@melbournewater.com.au.
Shane R
SR
Haydon
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia; The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia. Electronic address: ajex@unimelb.edu.au.
Aaron R
AR
Jex
Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia. Electronic address: robinbg@unimelb.edu.au.
Robin B
RB
Gasser
D000818:Animals; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012335:RNA, Ribosomal / Q000235:genetics
D012335:RNA, Ribosomal
60kD glycoprotein (gp60) gene; Common wombat; Cryptosporidium ubiquitum; Phylogeny; Vombatus ursinus; ribosomal RNA small subunit (SSU) gene