Cryptosporidium muris in a Texas Canine Population

Abstract

Molecular technology has led to the discovery of previously unrecognized Cryptosporidium species in new hosts, such as C. canis in humans. The notion that dogs may transmit Cryptosporidium species to humans has significant public health implications, and additional studies are merited. The purpose of this study was to examine a group of kenneled dogs to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species infection and to identify parasite species. Prevalence of active infection was 71%. Six positive samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA gene followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis to identify the Cryptosporidium species. Restriction digest patterns identified C. muris as the infecting species in all six dogs; species identity was confirmed by genetic sequencing. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a naturally occurring C. muris infection in a canine host. The finding of C. muris in asymptomatic canines supports the notion of dogs as potential sources of human infection.

Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. from animal sources in China

“…In Shanghai, infection with C. canis has also been reported in children from two pediatric hospitals [11]. Likewise, dogs can be the host of other types of Cryptosporidium, such as isolation of C. muris in a Texas canine population [12], although no positive was found in the present study, more attention should also be caused, and further works should be carried out to understand the real prevalence of this parasite or others infected in dogs.…”

Development of a Multilocus Sequence Tool for Typing Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium andersoni

“…Cryptosporidium muris is well known to have broad host specificity. In addition to various rodent species, natural C. muris infections have been documented for pigs, Bactrian camels, giraffes, dogs, cats, nonhuman primates, seals, bilbies, and tawny frogmouth (3,16,17,20,22,26,27,29,32,34,37,38,40,44). In contrast, C. andersoni is mostly a parasite of cattle, having been found only occasionally in other animals such as Bactrian camels, sheep, and goats.…”

Prevalence and Clinical Importance of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in Human and Animals

“…Infections with C. canis are usually asymptomatic but severe diarrhoea, malabsorption, weakness and weight loss have been reported (Irwin, 2002;Miller et al, 2003). Dogs infected with C. muris showed chronic vomiting and profuse diarrhoea in one study (Ellis et al, 2010) but in another study no gastrointestinal signs were observed (Lupo et al, 2008).…”