Significantly higher occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in Roma children compared with non-Roma children in Slovakia

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is considered to be a widespread world zoonosis. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium species was investigated in Roma children in a district of Eastern Slovakia and, at the same time, also in children of non-Roma parents. In total, 103 children (54 boys and 49 girls) between 0 and 14 years of age were involved in this study. Fifty-three were Roma children and 50 children represented a non-Roma control group. Fecal samples were examined: immunologically [enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test to prove antigen in the feces] and by molecular analysis [nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR)]. After the sequencing of the PCR, the products were identified as species of Cryptosporidium muris. Based on the results, the relative risk (RR) of the Cryptosporidium infection occurrence was calculated and we came to the conclusion that the risk of Cryptosporidium infection was almost 12 times higher in the Roma children compared to the non-Roma children.

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

“…Since then, molecular tools have shown that it has a wide host range, including various mammals (rodents, canids, felids, suids, giraffida, equids, non-human primates and marsupials) and birds (Table 1, Table 2). C. muris is considered a zoonotic species as there have been numerous reports of C. muris in humans and one report in human sewage (Guyot et al., 2001, Gatei et al., 2002, Tiangtip and Jongwutiwes, 2002, Gatei et al., 2003, Palmer et al., 2003, Gatei et al., 2006, Leoni et al., 2006, Muthusamy et al., 2006, Azami et al., 2007, Al Brikan et al., 2008, Neira et al., 2012, Hasajová et al., 2014, Petrincová et al, 2015, Spanakos et al., 2015, Hurkova et al., 2003). …”

“…Lucio-Forster et al., 2010) C. andersoni Lindsay et al., 2000 Bos taurus (Cattle)CattleLeoni et al., 2006, Morse et al., 2007, Waldron et al., 2011, Agholi et al., 2013, Jiang et al., 2014, Liu et al., 2014 C. varanii Pavlásek et al., 1995 Varanus prasinus (Emerald Monitor)LizardsNone reported C. baileyi Current et al., 1986 Gallus gallus (Chicken)BirdsNone reported C. parvum Tyzzer, 1912 Bos taurus (Cattle)RuminantsCommonly reported in humans C. meleagridis Slavin, 1955 Meleagris gallopavo (Turkey)Birds and humansCommonly reported in humans C. serpentis Levine, 1980 Elaphe guttata, E. subocularis, Sanzinia madagascarensus (Snakes)Snakes and lizardsNone reported C. felis Iseki, 1979 Felis catis (Cat)CatsMany reports (cf. Lucio-Forster et al., 2010) C. wrairi Vetterling et al., 1971 Cavia porcellus (Guinea pig)Guinea pigsNone reported C. muris Tyzzer, 1907, Tyzzer, 1910 Mus musculus (House mouse)RodentsMany reports – Guyot et al., 2001, Gatei et al., 2002, Tiangtip and Jongwutiwes, 2002, Gatei et al., 2003, Palmer et al., 2003, Gatei et al., 2006, Leoni et al., 2006, Muthusamy et al., 2006, Azami et al., 2007, Al Brikan et al., 2008, Neira et al., 2012, Hasajová et al., 2014, Petrincová et al, 2015, Spanakos et al., 2015…”

Molecular characterization and first report of Cryptosporidium genotypes in human population in the Slovak Republic

“…The detailed procedure is listed in the paper by Hasajová et al. . The obtained DNA was stored at −20°C until further processing.…”

Cryptosporidium in humans and animals—a one health approach to prophylaxis

“…Human infections with C. canis and C. felis have been reported mainly in studies conducted in children in developing countries where they are responsible for as much as 3.3% and 4.4%, respectively, of overall cryptosporidiosis cases . Cryptosporidium muris is also considered a zoonotic species as there have been numerous reports of C. muris in humans and one report in human sewage . In a recent human infectivity study, C. muris was examined in six healthy adults .…”

“…116 Cryptosporidium muris is also considered a zoonotic species as there have been numerous reports of C. muris in humans and one report in human sewage. [117][118][119][120][121][122][123][124][125][126][127][128][129] In a recent human infectivity study, C. muris was examined in six healthy adults. 130 Volunteers were challenged with 10 5 C. muris oocysts and monitored for 6 weeks for infection and/or illness.…”