title: Prevalence and Diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia Identified Among Feral Pigs in Texas.
abstract: The population size and geographic range of feral pigs in the United States are rapidly expanding. Nevertheless, the role of this invasive species in the ecology and transmission of zoonotic enteric pathogens is poorly understood. Our objectives were to describe the prevalence and diversity of Cryptosporidium and Giardia shedding among feral pigs throughout Texas and to identify risk factors for infection. Fecal samples were collected from feral pigs in Texas from February 2014 through May 2015. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected using a direct immunofluorescence assay, and genotyping of positive samples was performed. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium shedding was 1.6% (6/370), and C. scrofarum and C. suis were identified. The prevalence of Giardia shedding was 4.3% (16/370), and assemblages A and E were identified. Cryptosporidium shedding was significantly more common among juvenile and subadult pigs than among adult pigs, but age group was not associated with Giardia shedding status. Feral pigs may serve as a source of Cryptosporidium and Giardia transmission to humans and livestock.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas.
authors.forename: Lorraine D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Rivera
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Veterinary Integrative Biosciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas.
authors.forename: Kevin J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Cummings
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas.
authors.forename: Isaac
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: McNeely
authors.affiliation: 2 Department of Small Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University , College Station, Texas.
authors.forename: Jan S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Suchodolski
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Andrea V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Scorza
authors.affiliation: 3 Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University , Fort Collins, Colorado.
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Lappin
authors.affiliation: 4 Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture , San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Brian T
authors.initials: BT
authors.lastname: Mesenbrink
authors.affiliation: 4 Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture , San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Bruce R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Leland
authors.affiliation: 4 Wildlife Services, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, United States Department of Agriculture , San Antonio, Texas.
authors.forename: Michael J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Bodenchuk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003457:Cryptosporidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D003458:Cryptosporidium / Q000235:genetics*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005872:Giardia / Q000235:genetics*; D005873:Giardiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D013552:Swine; D013553:Swine Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology
keywords: Cryptosporidium; Giardia; epidemiology; feral pigs; surveillance; zoonotic