Cryptosporidiosis in a fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi) and molecular identification of infecting species

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is an infectious protozoan disease that affects a wide range of animals including reptiles. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in a fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi), an insectivorous reptile commonly found in tropical West Africa. Faecal sample was collected from a fire skink at necropsy for the detection of parasites by faecal sedimentation method, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) acid-fast staining, Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Nucleotide sequencing. Sections of the intestines were also processed for histopathology. Light microscopy revealed the presence of Ophidascarids sp. eggs and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Amplification of the 18S rRNA gene and nucleotide sequencing confirmed Cryptosporidium varanii as the infecting species. Histopathology revealed cellular infiltration and disruption of the epithelial cells along the brush border characteristic of intestinal inflammation.