Cryptosporidium Species and Genotypes in HIV‐Positive Patients in Lima, Peru

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parasites from a cross-sectional study conducted in two national hospitals in Lima, Peru were genetically characterized to determine the diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in HIV-positive people. A total of 2,672 patients participated in this study and provided 13,937 specimens. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected by microscopy in 354 (13.3%) of the patients. Analysis of 951 Cryptosporidium-positive specimens from 300 patients using a small subunit rRNA-based PCR-RFLP tool identified 6 genotypes; Cryptosporidium hominis was the species most frequently detected (67.5%), followed by C. meleagridis (12.6%) and C. parvum (11.3%). Cryptosporidium canis (4.0%), C. felis (3.3%), and Cryptosporidium pig genotype (0.5%) were also found. These findings indicate that C. hominis is the predominant species in Peruvian HIV-positive persons, and that zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. account for about 30% of cryptosporidiosis in these patients.

Identification of a High Diversity of Cryptosporidium Species Genotypes and Subtypes in a Pediatric Population in Nigeria

“…7,15,22,23 Cryptosporidium meleagridis , although not found as commonly as C. hominis and C. parvum , is the third most common infection in humans. 4,5,14,18,24,25 Two subtypes of C. meleagridis have been identified at the small subunit (SSU) ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene locus, and six 6 subtypes have been identified at the GP60 gene locus, 26 which indicate possible heterogeneity in host range, and therefore routes of transmission, for C. meleagridis .…”

CryptosporidiumSpecies and Subtypes and Clinical Manifestations in Children, Peru

“…Humans are most frequently infected with C. hominis and C. parvum (7,11,12); recent reports indicate possible associations between these 2 organisms and different clinical manifestations. In Brazil, children infected with C. hominis had increased parasite shedding, more frequent presence of fecal lactoferrin, and delayed growth when compared with those infected with C. parvum (13).…”

Infecção natural por Cryptosporidium sp. em aves domésticas comercializadas em mercados municipais do Estado do Rio de Janeiro

“…Em pacientes portadores do vírus da imunodeficiência humana (HIV), foi constatado que a infecção por C. hominis ocorreu em 67,5% dos pacientes, seguido por C. meleagridis presente em 12,6% das amostras fecais examinadas (CAMA et al, 2003).…”