Occurrence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. isolated from domestic animals in a rural area surrounding Atlantic dry forest fragments in Teodoro Sampaio municipality, State of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in domestic animals in rural properties surrounding rain forest fragments within the municipality of Teodoro Sampaio, southeastern Brazil. Conventional sucrose flotation method followed by molecular characterization of the parasites by sequencing PCR products amplified from SSU rRNA gene were used. Stool samples were collected from domestic animals raised as pets and livestock in all rural properties surrounding three forest fragments. Samples from cattle (197), equine (63), pigs (25), sheep (11), and dogs (28) were collected from 98 rural properties. The frequency of occurrence of Cryptosporidium within each animal species was 3.0% (6/197) among cattle and 10.7% (3/28) among dogs. Cryptosporidium was not detected in stool samples from equine, sheep, and pigs. All sequences obtained from the six samples of calves showed molecular identity with Cryptosporidium andersoni while all sequences from dog samples were similar to C. canis. The frequency of occurrence of Cryptosporidium in these domestic animal species was low. The absence of C. parvum in the present study suggests that the zoonotic cycle of cryptosporidiosis may not be relevant in the region studied. The presence of Cryptosporidium species seldom described in humans may be, otherwise, important for the wild fauna as these animals are a source of infection and dissemination of this protozoan to other animal species. The impact and magnitude of infection by C. andersoni in wild ruminants and C. canis in wild canids have to be assessed in future studies to better understand the actual importance of these species in this region.

Endoparasites in domestic animals surrounding an Atlantic Forest remnant, in São Paulo State, Brazil

“…The spread of waterborne zoonotic parasitic diseases is associated with domestic livestock, and some of these diseases are readily transmitted to humans (PATZ et al, 2000) and wild animals (SEVÁ et al, 2010). In areas with poor sanitary conditions, as in the area sampled in the present study, the control of this parasite is complicated.…”

“…The Atlantic Rain Forest is considered a biodiversity hotspot (GALETTI & SAZIMA, 2006). This forest is surrounded by rural properties, some of which are owned by low-income farmers (settlers) who survive on subsistence agriculture (SEVÁ et al, 2010). These properties make up a settlement that originated from the Landless Workers Movement.…”

Risk factors and infection due to Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs and cats in southern Rio Grande do Sul

“…These last two species alone are responsible for a large proportion of infections in developing countries (XIAO & FENG, 2008). In turn, C. parvum can infect both dogs and humans, and is more recurrent in humans than C. canis (SEVÁ et al, 2010).…”

Criptosporidiose em animais domésticos: aspectos epidemiológicos

“…Na área rural de Teodoro Sampaio, SP, foi evidenciada infecção por Cryptosporidium spp. em 10,7% (3/28) dos cães por meio da técnica de Sheather e C.canis foi caracterizado molecularmente (SEVÁ et al, 2010).…”