title: Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium Species from Pet Snakes in Thailand.
abstract: Cryptosporidium is an important pathogen causing gastrointestinal disease in snakes and is distributed worldwide. The main objectives of this study were to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species in captive snakes from exotic pet shops and snake farms in Thailand. In total, 165 fecal samples were examined from 8 snake species, boa constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor), corn snake (Elaphe guttata), ball python (Python regius), milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), king snake (Lampropeltis getula), rock python (Python sebae), rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria), and carpet python (Morelia spilota). Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined using the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-modified acid-fast staining and a molecular method based on nested-PCR, PCR-RFLP analysis, and sequencing amplification of the SSU rRNA gene. DMSO-modified acid-fast staining revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 12 out of 165 (7.3%) samples, whereas PCR produced positive results in 40 (24.2%) samples. Molecular characterization indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum (mouse genotype) as the most common species in 24 samples (60%) from 5 species of snake followed by Cryptosporidium serpentis in 9 samples (22.5%) from 2 species of snake and Cryptosporidium muris in 3 samples (7.5%) from P. regius.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Benjarat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yimming
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Khampee
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Pattanatanang
authors.affiliation: Department of Large Animal and Wildlife Clinical Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
authors.forename: Pornchai
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sanyathitiseree
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Tawin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Inpankaew
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Ketsarin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kamyingkird
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Nongnuch
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pinyopanuwat
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Wissanuwat
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Chimnoi
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
authors.forename: Jumnongjit
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phasuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000145:classification* / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D008853:Microscopy; D057805:Pets / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012150:Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D012911:Snakes / Q000469:parasitology*; D013785:Thailand
chemical_list: D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S
keywords: Cryptosporidium muris; Cryptosporidium parvum; Cryptosporidium serpentis; SSU rRNA; Thailand; nested PCR; snake