Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium in free-ranging and farm-raised donkeys (Equus asinus asinus) in Xinjiang, China.

Wen Wang,Longxian Zhang,Wei Zhao,Ying Zhang,Aiyun Zhao,Pengtao Liu,Bo Jing,Zhenjie Zhang,Meng Qi

doi:10.1051/parasite/2020042

Abstract

The prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium in donkeys is poorly understood. Here, 680 fecal specimens were collected from 178 free-ranging and 502 farmed donkeys in Xinjiang, China. Cryptosporidium was identified using PCR amplification of the small subunit of ribosomal DNA. Cryptosporidium-positive isolates were subtyped using PCR analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60). The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 2.4% (16/680), with 3.2% (16/502) in farmed donkeys and 0% (0/178) in free-ranging donkeys. Cryptosporidium hominis (n = 13), C. parvum (n = 1) and Cryptosporidium horse genotype (n = 2) were identified. The C. hominis isolates belonged to two subtypes, IkA16 (n = 9) and IkA16G1 (n = 4). The subtype of C. parvum was IIdA15G1, whereas the two Cryptosporidium horse genotype isolates were of subtype VIaA15G4. The predominance of C. hominis in donkeys suggests that these animals are infected through human contact.

Highlights

Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic parasitic pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans and various animal species [19]
Sixteen fecal specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium from six farms in four cities with an overall infection rate of 2.4% (16/680), which is similar to that previously reported for donkeys in Algeria (1.6%, 2/124) [16]
There are a great many studies, especially in cattle, which clearly indicate a much higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium in young animals [1, 4]. These data suggest that age may be a risk factor for Cryptosporidium infection in animals including donkeys

Summary

Introduction

Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic parasitic pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans and various animal species [19]. C. hominis and C. parvum are the most common species identified in humans [6, 15]. The zoonotic nature of various Cryptosporidium species implies that public health may be affected by infected animals [19]. An Italian study reported a foal at a The present study aimed to determine the prevalence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium in free-ranging and scale-farmed donkeys in Xinjiang, China

Ethics statement

Results and discussion

Conclusions