Abstract
Cryptosporidium sp. is an enteric parasite with zoonotic potential, and can infect a wide range of vertebrates, including human. Determining the source of infection and the mode of transmission in a new endemic region is crucial for the control of cryptosporidiosis. In the present study, we have assessed the importance of dairy cattle as a potential source of Cryptosporidium infection for humans in a newly recognized endemic region. Cryptosporidium isolates from dairy calves, humans (farm workers) and nearby water bodies were genetically characterized based on 18SrRNA and hsp70 genes. A high incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was identified in our study region. This finding is of public health concern. Cryptosporidium ryanae rather than Cryptosporidium parvum has been identified as the most prevalent infecting species in the study region. Infections were associated with clinical symptoms of infected animals. An incomplete linkage disequilibrium (LD) value with potential recombination events at 18SrRNA locus were identified for the first time in C. ryanae, which was previously reported as a clonal population. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of identical genotypes of a Cryptosporidium sp. from dairy calves, farm workers and nearby water bodies and indicates an association between water contamination and zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidiosis in our study region.
Highlights
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite infecting a wide range of vertebrates, including humans
Individuals in close proximity with infected animals are at a high risk of acquiring cryptosporidiosis, especially cattle handlers, veterinarians and others working in low hygiene areas
The overall incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was found to be 22% in calves and 19% among dairy farm workers (Table 1), which is relatively high compared to the previous report from West Bengal, India (Khan et al, 2010)
Summary
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite infecting a wide range of vertebrates, including humans. Disease transmission typically occurs via fecal-oral route following either direct contact with contaminated fecal samples from an infected host or indirectly through contaminated water or food. Cattle is a major reservoir for Cryptosporidium spp. (Zhao et al, 2014). Individuals in close proximity with infected animals are at a high risk of acquiring cryptosporidiosis, especially cattle handlers, veterinarians and others working in low hygiene areas. The disease is usually self-limiting in immunocompetent individuals, but can be lifethreatening or fatal among malnourished and immunocompromised patients (Steeb et al, 1987; Kurniawan et al, 2013).
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