Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Brandt's Vole in China.

Shengyong Feng,Hongxuan He,Han Chang,Chengmei Huang,Ye Wang,Shuyi Han

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.00300

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. are important intestinal parasites that infect humans and various animals, including wildlife. Currently, few epidemiological data in wild rodents, especially in voles, are available. In the present study, a total of 678 Brandt's vole feces samples were collected from Maodeng Livestock Farm and East Ujimqin, Inner Mongolia. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 18.7%. Significant differences were not found between genders but between locations and weight groups. Moreover, three known species/genotypes, C. suis, Cryptosporidium environmental sequence and muskrat genotype II, and a novel Cryptosporidium species/genotypes of Brandt's vole was identified. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in Brandt's vole worldwide. These findings imply Brandt's voles might be a potential source of human cryptosporidiosis.

Highlights

Cryptosporidiosis, caused by species of the genus Cryptosporidium, is one of the common etiologies of diarrhea in humans and animals [1]
Rodents can carry a large number of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses and parasites, which pose a threat to public health [5]
17 representative sequences were obtained through sequence analysis

Summary

Introduction

Cryptosporidiosis, caused by species of the genus Cryptosporidium, is one of the common etiologies of diarrhea in humans and animals [1]. The oocysts shed from infected hosts can survive for quite a long time in the environment [2]. Infection is more likely to occur by ingesting water or foods contaminated with oocysts [3]. The prognosis of cryptosporidiosis may be chronic infection or life-threatening in certain people [4]. Brandt’s vole (Lasiopodomys brandtii) is a small, non-hibernating, herbivorous rodent species, and mainly distributed in the grasslands of Inner Mongolian of China, Mongolia, and Southeast Baikal region of Russia [6]. It is generally agreed that Brandt’s vole is one of the important grassland pests due to their damage to grasslands [6]

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion