Prevalence and genotyping identification of Cryptosporidium in adult ruminants in central Iran

Abstract

BackgroundApicomplexan parasites of the genus Cryptosporidium infect a wide range of animal species as well as humans. Cryptosporidium spp. can cause life threatening diarrhea especially in young animals, children, immunocompromised patients and malnourished individuals. Asymptomatic cryptosporidial infections in animals can also occur, making these animals potential reservoirs of infection.MethodsIn the present study, a molecular survey of Cryptosporidium spp. in ruminants that were slaughtered for human consumption in Yazd Province, located in central Iran was conducted. Faeces were collected per-rectum from 484 animals including 192 cattle, 192 sheep and 100 goats. DNA was extracted from all samples and screened for Cryptosporidium by PCR amplification of the 18S rRNA gene. Positives were Sanger sequenced and further subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) locus.ResultsIn total, Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 22 animals: C. andersoni and C. bovis in seven and two cattle faecal samples, respectively, C. ubiquitum in five sheep, and C. xiaoi in six sheep and two goat samples, respectively. To our knowledge, this study provides for the first time, molecular information concerning Cryptosporidium species infecting goats in Iran, and is also the first report of C. ubiquitum and C. xiaoi from ruminants in Iran.ConclusionThe presence of potentially zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium in ruminants in this region may suggest that livestock could potentially contribute to human cryptosporidiosis, in particular among farmers and slaughterhouse workers, in the area. Further molecular studies on local human populations are required to more accurately understand the epidemiology and transmission dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. in this region.

Cryptosporidium infections in sheep farms from Italy

“…Cryptosporidiosis is a global disease caused by apicomplexan parasites belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium , which are recognized as a significant source of gastrointestinal illness for a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans (Xiao, 2010 , Ryan et al, 2016 ). Molecular investigations have identified nearly 40 species and over 50 genotypes, of which Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum are the most prevalent in humans, causing asymptomatic or mild-to-severe gastrointestinal diseases (Ryan et al, 2014 , Feng et al, 2018 , Firoozi et al, 2019 , Roellig and Xiao, 2020 ).…”

Use of Veterinary Vaccines for Livestock as a Strategy to Control Foodborne Parasitic Diseases

“…In addition, several reports suggest a zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. from animals to humans due to simultaneous detection of Cryptosporidium in livestock and farmers and slaughterhouse workers (Xiao and Feng, 2008 ; Jafari et al, 2012 ; Firoozi et al, 2019 ). Therefore, livestock can play a major role as a source of human cryptosporidiosis since cross-contamination of raw meat with feces of animal in the slaughterhouses is a risk factor for human cryptosporidiosis (Xiao and Feng, 2008 ).…”

CryptoGenotyper: A new bioinformatics tool for rapid Cryptosporidium identification

“…Traditional methods to molecularly characterize these two regions include combining conventional PCR with Sanger sequencing. These methods are still commonly used ( Firoozi et al, 2019 ; Chalmers et al, 2009 ), despite the increasing availability of next-generation sequencing methods, due to their associated low costs, readily available equipment and standardized analysis tools. However, there are many challenges faced when analyzing the Sanger sequencing results from the SSU rRNA and gp60 loci.…”