Abstract
A total of 256 fecal specimens were randomly collected from farmed poultry in Germany and screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. by PCR and further characterized by direct automated DNA sequencing. Using a nested PCR amplifying approximately 830 bp 18S rDNA fragment, 7.03% (n = 18) of the samples were Cryptosporidium-positive. In detail, Cryptosporidium was detected in 9.3% (8/86) of turkeys, 5.7% (9/158) of broilers and 8.3% (1/12) of layers. After DNA sequencing, Cryptosporidium parvum the most frequently observed species was identified in 5.1% (13/256) of all poultry species, including 8.1% (7/86) of turkeys, 3.2% (5/158) of broilers and 8.3% (1/12) of layers. Cryptosporidium baileyi was detected in 1.3% (2/256) of the broilers only. Three novel unclassified Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 1.2% (1/86) of turkeys and 1.3% (2/158) of broilers. The infection rate was high in 13–20 week old turkeys, 1–6 weeks old broilers and >20 weeks old layers but differences between age groups were not significant. This is the first study in Germany uses molecular methods for the detection of Cryptosporidium in poultry. The results indicate that Cryptosporidium parasites are common among broilers and turkeys in Germany. Considering the large size of the poultry industry, the large amount of poultry meat that is consumed and the fact that C. parvum is also the most common Cryptosporidium parasite in humans, poultry might also be a source of human infections.
Highlights
Cryptosporidium are among the most prevalent enteric protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of host species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish [1,2]
Birds are considered a reservoir for human infections due to the possible transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum [4] and frequent human infections with Cryptosporidium meleagridis [5,6]
The new results from Germany are comparable with a recent report from China, where the prevalence detected by PCR was 10% in pooled samples collected between November 2010 and January 2012 from small groups of 5–7 around 90 days old broiler chickens [33]
Summary
Cryptosporidium are among the most prevalent enteric protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of host species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and fish [1,2]. Cryptosporidium spp. in poultry cryptosporidiosis was first described in the caeca of chicken by Tyzzer [3]. Birds are considered a reservoir for human infections due to the possible transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum [4] and frequent human infections with Cryptosporidium meleagridis [5,6]. Cryptosporidium has been reported in more than 30 avian species worldwide, including chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, quails, pheasants and peacocks [2,7]. There were only a few studies that have examined the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. among avian hosts. Poor hygienic conditions have been associated with increased prevalence of the disease in poultry flocks [4]
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