Occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in mammals and reptiles at the Lisbon Zoo

Abstract

The presence of Cryptosporidium parasites in mammals and reptiles kept at the Lisbon Zoo was investigated. A total of 274 stool samples were collected from 100 mammals and 29 reptiles. The species and genotype of the isolates identified by light microscopy were determined by nested PCR and sequence analysis of a fragment of the small subunit rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in one black wildebeest (Connochaetes gnou), one Prairie bison (Bison bison bison) and in one Indian star tortoise (Geochelone elegans). The PCR and sequence analysis of these three isolates showed that those excreted by the Prairie bison were Cryptosporidium mouse genotype, those from the black wildebeest were from a new Cryptosporidium genotype and those infecting the Indian star tortoise were Cryptosporidium tortoise genotype. The present work reports a new Cryptosporidium genotype in a black wildebeest and the first finding of the Cryptosporidium mouse genotype in a ruminant.

Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild, Laboratory, and Pet Rodents in China: Prevalence and Molecular Characterization

“…The Cryptosporidium mouse genotype I was previously identified mostly in house mice (Mus musculus) and other small rodents (yellow-necked mice, common voles, and bank voles) and occasionally in prairie bisons, takins, red pandas, and leopards (1,5,22). In this study, it was found in 2.0% of laboratory mice and rats, 6.3% of wild brown rats, and 9.1% of Asian house rats.…”

Public health significance of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species in wildlife: Critical insights into better drinking water management

“…), Green iguana ( Iguana iguana ), Lampropeltis sp; Louisiana pine snake ( Pituophis ruthveni ), Plated lizard ( Gerrhosaurus sp. ), Schneider's Skink ( Eumeces schneideri ), Taipan ( Oxyuranus scutellatus ), Baron's green racer ( Philodryas baroni ), Yellow anaconda ( Eunectes notaeus ), Cornsnake ( Elaphe guttata guttata ), Mato Grosso lancehead ( Bothrops matogrossensis )Intestine and CloacaKoudela and Modry, 1998, Morgan et al., 1999b, Hajdusek et al., 2004, Xiao et al., 2004b, Plutzer and Karanis, 2007, Pedraza-Díaz et al., 2009, Richter et al., 2011, da Silva et al., 2014, Abe and Matsubara, 2015Lizard genotype/ C. serpentis- likeLeopard gecko ( Eublepharis macularius ), Cornsnake ( Pantherophis guttatus ), Chinese wonder gecko ( Teratoscincus scincus )–Xiao et al., 2004b, Richter et al., 2011, Abe and Matsubara, 2015Tortoise genotype IIndian star tortoises ( Geochelone elegans ), Herman's tortoise ( Testudo hermanii ), Ball python ( Python regius ), Russian tortoise ( Agrionemys [Testudo] horsfieldii )StomachXiao et al., 2002b, Xiao et al., 2004b, Alves et al., 2005, Pedraza-Díaz et al., 2009, Griffin et al., 2010; Richter et al., 2012Tortoise genotype II ( C. duismarci )Marginated tortoise ( Testudo marginata ), Ball python ( Python regius ), Veiled chameleon ( Chamaeleo calyptratus ), Pancake tortoise ( Malacochersus tornieri ), Russian tortoise ( Agrionemys [Testudo] horsfieldii )IntestineTraversa et al., 2008, Pedraza-Díaz et al., 2009, Griffin et al., 2010, Traversa, 2010; Richter et al., 2012Snake genotype INew Guinea Viper boa ( Candoia asper ), Japanese grass snakes ( Rhabdophis tigris )–Xiao et al., 2002b, Kuroki et al., 2008–Snake genotype IIBoa constrictor ( Boa constrictor ortoni )Xiao et al., 2004b…”

Prevalência de Cryptosporidium serpentis em serpentes de cativeiro

“…A criptosporidiose está associada à alta morbidade e mortalidade em centros de criação de ofídios ou em coleções privadas, muitas vezes, resultando em eutanásia obrigatória dos animais. Dificilmente a doença é diagnosticada em seus estágios iniciais ou subclínicos, sendo esse o grande motivo de preocupação para os clínicos de répteis, já que a doença pode se disseminar rapidamente por toda a criação (ALVES et al, 2005).…”

“…Tais medidas são características do C. serpentis, conforme PLUTZER & KARANIS (2007). Várias espécies de Cryptosporidium estão envolvidas nas infecções de serpentes e incluem C. crotalis, C. serpentis, C. parvum, C. varanii e C. muris (ALVES et al, 2005;PLUTZER & KARANIS, 2007;KUROKI et al, 2008), porém a mais prevalente é C. serpentis e foi a única espécie encontrada neste estudo.…”