Molecular identification ofCryptosporidiumspp. in seagulls, pigeons, dogs, and cats in Thailand

Abstract

Zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp., particularly C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. felis, are enteric protozoa responsible for major public health concerns around the world. To determine the spread of this parasite in Thailand, we conducted molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. from animal samples around the country, by collecting and investigating the feces of seagulls (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus and Chroicocephalus ridibundus), domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), dogs, and cats. Seagull and pigeon samples were collected at the seaside and on the riverside to evaluate their potential for waterborne transmission. Ten pigeon samples were combined into one set, and a total of seven sets were collected. Seventy seagull samples were combined into one set, and a total of 13 sets were collected. In addition, 111 dog samples were collected from cattle farms, and 95 dog and 80 cat samples were collected from a temple. We identified C. meleagridis in pigeons, Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls, C. canis in dogs, and C. felis in cats. In the temple, the prevalence was 2.1% (2/95) for dogs and 2.5% (2/80) for cats. No Cryptosporidium was found in dog samples from cattle farms. These are the first findings of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons, and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls. Our study invites further molecular epidemiological investigations of Cryptosporidium in these animals and their environment to evaluate the public health risk in Thailand.

Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Cryptosporidium Infection in Java Sparrows (Lonchura oryzivora) in Northern China

“…Moreover, the Cryptosporidium prevalence of the present study was lower than that in pigeons in Thailand (25%) [18]. Different age distributions, test methods, geological environment conditions, and the breeding density may contribute to the difference of Cryptosporidium prevalence [2, 19].…”

Prevalence and risk factors for cryptosporidiosis: a global, emerging, neglected zoonosis

“…The prevalence was 2.1% (2/95) for dogs in a Temple and 2.5% (2/80) for cats. This was the first report of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls [131]. Long-tailed macaques (Macaca fascicularis) that reside among human communities in Thailand and come into regular contact with man showed a low prevalence of 1% for Cryptosporidium spp.…”

Infecção natural de pombos (Columba livia) por Cryptosporidium spp

“…parasitando pombos é assinalado em apenas quatro países: Turquia (Özkul e Aydin, 1994), China (Qi et al, 2011;Li et al, 2015;Li et al, 2016), Irã (Radfar et al, 2012;Bahrami et al, 2012;Badparva et al, 2014;Mirzaghavami et al, 2016) e Tailândia (Koompapong et al, 2014), totalizando nove publicações e todas estas utilizaram a técnica de microscopia como triagem. A utilização de fezes de pombos livres e dispersos no ambiente para a pesquisa de Cryptosporidium spp.…”

“…A utilização de fezes de pombos livres e dispersos no ambiente para a pesquisa de Cryptosporidium spp. foram descritas apenas em três trabalhos: Koompapong et al,2014;Badparva et al, 2014;e Mirzaghavami et al, 2016. As amostras obtidas neste estudo no municipio do Rio de Janeiro, foram de áreas urbanas densamente povoadas tanto pelos pombos quanto pela população humana, uma vez que a oferta de alimentos era elevada, atraindo estas aves, tornando sua proximidade um risco para a saúde pública. Similiridades neste sentido, também foram observadas em Bangcoc na Tailândia (Koompapong et al, 2014) e em Teerã, no Irã (Mirzaghavami et al, 2016).…”

“…Dessa forma, essas aves vêm representando risco à saúde pública, de forma direta, através da inalação das excretas contaminadas, ou de forma indireta, pela contaminação de fontes de água e alimentos destinados ao consumo animal e humano (Adang et al, 2008;Koompapong et al, 2014;Li et al, 2015).…”