Cryptosporidium Infection Research Articles

MiR-181d targets BCL2 to regulate HCT-8 cell apoptosis and parasite burden in response to Cryptosporidium parvum infection via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway

Cryptosporidium parvum is an important zoonotic pathogen that is studied worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) act as post-transcriptional regulators and may play a key role in modulating host epithelial responses following Cryptosporidium infection. Our previous study has shown that C. parvum downregulates the expression of miR-181d through the p50-dependent TLRs/NF-κB pathway. However, the mechanism by which miR-181d regulates host cells in response to C. parvum infection remains unclear. The present study found that miR-181d downregulation inhibited cell apoptosis and increased parasite burden in HCT-8 cells after C. parvum infection. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assays have shown that BCL2 was a target gene for miR-181d. Moreover, BCL2 overexpression and miR-181d downregulation had similar results. To further investigate the mechanism by which miR-181d regulated HCT-8 cell apoptosis during C. parvum infection, the expression of molecules involved in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway was detected. Bax, caspase-9, and caspase-3 expression was decreased at 4, 8, 12, and 24 hpi and upregulated at 36 and 48 hpi. Interfering with the expression of miR-181d or BCL2 significantly affected the expression of molecules in the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. These data indicated that miR-181d targeted BCL2 to regulate HCT-8 cell apoptosis and parasite burden in response to C. parvum infection via the intrinsic apoptosis pathway. These results allowed us to further understand the regulatory mechanisms of host miRNAs during Cryptosporidium infection, and provided a theoretical foundation for the design and development of anti-cryptosporidiosis drugs.

Study on intestinal parasitic infections and gut microbiota in cancer patients at a tertiary teaching hospital in Malaysia

Intestinal parasitic infections (IPIs) can lead to significant morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. While they are unlikely to cause severe disease and are self-limiting in healthy individuals, cancer patients are especially susceptible to opportunistic parasitic infections. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in various aspects of health, including immune regulation and metabolic processes. Parasites occupy the same environment as bacteria in the gut. Recent research suggests intestinal parasites can disrupt the normal balance of the gut microbiota. However, there is limited understanding of this co-infection dynamic among cancer patients in Malaysia. A study was conducted to determine the prevalence and relationship between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition in cancer patients. Stool samples from 134 cancer patients undergoing active treatment or newly diagnosed were collected and examined for the presence of intestinal parasites and gut microbiota composition. The study also involved 17 healthy individuals for comparison and control. Sequencing with 16S RNA at the V3–V4 region was used to determine the gut microbial composition between infected and non-infected cancer patients and healthy control subjects. The overall prevalence of IPIs among cancer patients was found to be 32.8%. Microsporidia spp. Accounted for the highest percentage at 20.1%, followed by Entamoeba spp. (3.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (3.0%), Cyclospora spp. (2.2%), and Ascaris lumbricoides (0.8%). None of the health control subjects tested positive for intestinal parasites. The sequencing data analysis revealed that the gut microbiota diversity and composition were significantly different in cancer patients than in healthy controls (p < 0.001). A significant dissimilarity was observed in the bacterial composition between parasite-infected and non-infected patients based on Bray–Curtis (p = 0.041) and Jaccard (p = 0.021) measurements. Bacteria from the genus Enterococcus were enriched in the parasite-infected groups, while Faecalibacterium prausnitzii reduced compared to non-infected and control groups. Further analysis between different IPIs and non-infected individuals demonstrated a noteworthy variation in Entamoeba-infected (unweighted UniFrac: p = 0.008), Cryptosporidium-infected (Bray–Curtis: p = 0.034) and microsporidia-infected (unweighted: p = 0.026; weighted: p = 0.019; Jaccard: p = 0.031) samples. No significant dissimilarity was observed between Cyclospora-infected groups and non-infected groups. Specifically, patients infected with Cryptosporidium and Entamoeba showed increased obligate anaerobic bacteria. Clostridiales were enriched with Entamoeba infections, whereas those from Coriobacteriales decreased. Bacteroidales and Clostridium were found in higher abundance in the gut microbiota with Cryptosporidium infection, while Bacillales decreased. Additionally, bacteria from the genus Enterococcus were enriched in microsporidia-infected patients. In contrast, bacteria from the Clostridiales order, Faecalibacterium, Parabacteroides, Collinsella, Ruminococcus, and Sporosarcina decreased compared to the non-infected groups. These findings underscore the importance of understanding and managing the interactions between intestinal parasites and gut microbiota for improved outcomes in cancer patients.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) from Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China.

Cryptosporidium spp. is a significant zoonotic parasite. The prevalence and infection characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels in Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture have yet to be fully understood. Thus, the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in camels was investigated in this region. A total of 1,455 fecal samples were collected from 6 counties in three regions (Altay, Tacheng, and Yili) in Yili Prefecture. Nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene was used to identify the species or genotypes of Cryptosporidium infection in camels. For C. parvum positive samples, the subtypes were identified using the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. The overall infection rate was 8.7% (126/1,455), ranging from 5.6% to 11.7% in different regions, and 4.2% to 15.8% in different counties. A significant difference was observed amongst the counties (p < 0.001). Three species were detected, namely C. andersoni (65.1%, 82/126), C. parvum (34.1%, 43/126), and C. occultus (0.8%, 1/126). Three C. parvum subtypes, If-like-A15G2 (n = 29), IIdA15G1 (n = 4), and IIdA19G1(n = 1) were detected, with If-like-A15G2 being the most prevalent subtype. Camels aged 3-12 months exhibited the highest infection rate (11.4%, 44/387), with no significant difference among age groups (p > 0.05). C. parvum was predominant in camels under 3 months, while C. andersoni prevailed in camels over 3 months. There was an extremely significant difference observed among seasons (p < 0.001), summer had the highest infection rates (16.9%, 61/360). This study collected nearly 1,500 samples and, for the first time, investigated Cryptosporidium spp. infection in camels based on different age groups and seasons. All three Cryptosporidiumspecies identified were zoonotic, posing a potential threat to human health and requiring close attention.

Occurrence and factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in livestock in three districts of Zambia

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important enteric diarrhoeal parasites that infect humans and animals worldwide. The current study investigated the occurrence and risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in ruminants aged ≤6 months in Monze, Mumbwa, and Lusaka districts of Zambia. Faecal samples were collected from 328 calves, 190 lambs, and 245 goat kids and analysed for Cryptosporidium oocysts using modified Ziehl Neelsen staining. A closed structured questionnaire was used to obtain epidemiological characteristics and potential risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection. The overall occurrence of Cryptosporidium was 7.9% (60/763), while that in calves, lambs and goat kids was 14.5% (47/328), 5.3% (10/190), and 1.2% (3/245) respectively. Watery/pasty stool and sampling during the rainy season were independently associated with increased risk of infection. In calves, the odds of infection increased during the rainy season, while daily kraal cleaning reduced the infection risk. Lambs showed increased odds of infection with pasty/watery stool and male sex, whereas the wearing of protective clothing by handlers significantly reduced the risk. There were district variations in infection occurrence with Mumbwa district having higher prevalence. The findings of this study show that livestock in Zambia continue to be frequently infected with Cryptosporidium. Protective measures and appropriate farm cleanliness should be implemented in control of this infection. Regional and host-species-specific variations emphasize the need for targeted interventions. These findings, therefore, contribute to effective strategies for Cryptosporidium control, promoting good livestock health and management.

Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium in Alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogaster) in Gansu Province, Northwest China.

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoa commonly found in domestic and wild animals. Limited information is available on Cryptosporidium in deer worldwide. In this study, 201 fecal samples were collected from Alpine musk deer on three farms in Gansu Province, China. Detection and subtyping of Cryptosporidium were performed by PCR and sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA and gp60 genes. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in Alpine musk deer was 3.9% (8/201), with infection rates of 1.0% (1/100), 2.8% (1/36), and 9.2% (6/65) in three different farms. All positive samples for Cryptosporidium were from adult deer. Two Cryptosporidium species were identified, including C. parvum (n = 2) and C. xiaoi (n = 6). The C. parvum isolates were subtyped as IIdA15G1, while the C. xiaoi isolates were subtyped as XXIIIa (n = 2) and XXIIIg (n = 4). The IIdA15G1 subtype of C. parvum was found for the first time in deer. These results provide important insights into the identity and human infectious potential of Cryptosporidium in farmed Alpine musk deer.

Microscopic and Molecular Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium spp. in Human in Babylon Province, Iraq

Background: Considering the importance of Cryptosporidium spp. to public health and the country's economic situation due to the threat of an outbreak and economic losses. Objectives: this study aimed to detect Cryptosporidium spp. in human in Babylon province using traditional and molecular techniques. Methods: this study was conducted in Babylon province from September, 2023 to March, 2024.a total of 100 human stool samples were examined microscopically for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. from both diarrheal and non-diarrheal patients attend hospitals and public health centers laboratories. Results: by using microscopic examination. The rate of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. was (25/100), 25%. According to sex, the highest infection rate in humans was in males (17/59),28.81% compared to females (8/41) ,19,51%. was recorded in the rate of infection between age groups, the highest rate (13/28), 46.42% observed in &lt; 5years of human. Rural area revealed the highest rate of infection than urban area in human (16/44),36.63%. In molecular diagnosis, DNA extraction was performed for 50 stool samples human 28% (14/50) C hominis 10% (5/50) C parvum 18% (9/50) by nested PCR, in order to investigate the genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. from human in Babylon, five Cryptosporidium spp. isolates. were genetically characterized by SSU-rDNA gene sequencing. The results showed C parvum (1/5) C hominis (4/5). Conclusion: these findings suggested that infection of humans by zoonotic genotypes were the most common genotypes detected in all human samples in Babylon province, to enhance the effectiveness of the One Health approach in preventing Cryptosporidium spp. infection, it is crucial to have a deeper understanding of the environmental, epidemiological, and etiological aspects linked to Cryptosporidium infection. This knowledge will aid in the development of more effective risk management strategies. The future One Health plan seeks to incorporate diverse and interdisciplinary expertise.

Domesticated animal reservoirs of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in agricultural farms in Laguna and Quezon provinces, Philippines.

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are recognized as significant etiological agents of diarrheal outbreaks in humans as these parasites may be transmitted through the ingestion of water and food contaminated with feces of human or animal origin. However, surveillance studies on the role of animal reservoirs in the transmission of Cryptosporidium and Giardia are deemed insufficient and the complete dimension of the problem contributing to contamination in an agricultural setting is unknown. This study aimed to assess the presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in domesticated animals from selected farms in the agricultural provinces of Laguna and Quezon in Southern Luzon, Philippines. Using immunofluorescence assay, an overall 85.7% incidence of protozoan infection was recorded among the animals (N = 161). Of these, 77.0 and 73.9% were positive for Cryptosporidium and Giardia, respectively. Highest incidence (95.83%) of Cryptosporidium was documented in swine and the highest incidence (89.47%) of Giardia was observed in ruminants. Analyses revealed significant differences in the incidence of the protozoan parasites among animals with different containment status, water source, age group, and sex. On the other hand, farm workers' knowledge on parasite transmission was negatively correlated (p = 0.001) to parasite incidence. With the scarcity of data about Cryptosporidium and Giardia in farm-raised animals in the Philippines, the information obtained from this study will be vital for protozoan source tracking and further control interventions against Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections.

The prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium spp. in bar-headed goose (Anser indicus) in China

Cryptosporidium spp. is an important foodborne and waterborne pathogen in humans and animals, causing diarrhoea in humans and respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in birds. However, reports of Cryptosporidium infection in bar–headed goose are limited. To determine the infection rate and species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium in bar–headed goose in China, a total of 358 fecal samples were collected from 3 regions. Nested PCR was used to amplify Cryptosporidium SSU rRNA regions from the fecal extracted–DNA samples. The total infection rate of Cryptosporidium in bar–headed in China was 3.9 % (14/358), with 4.2 % (5/120) in Aba (Ngawa) Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefect, Sichuan province, 7.6 % (9/119) in Maqu county, Gansu province, and 0.0 % (0/119) in Caohai, Wei ning county, Guizhou province. The differences in prevalence rate by region were statistically significant. All positive samples were identified as Cryptosporidium goose genotype I (n = 14). This is the first systematic investigation of the epidemiological status and dominant species/genotypes of Cryptosporidium in bar–headed goose in China, thereby enhancing our understanding of the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infection in wild migratory birds.

Estimation and evaluation of the risks of protozoa infections associated to the water from a treatment plant in southern Brazil using the Quantitative Microbiological Risk Assessment Methodology (QMRA).

In this study, the Quantitative Microbial Risk Assessment (QMRA) methodology was applied to estimate the annual risk of Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection associated with a water treatment plant in southern Brazil. The efficiency of the treatment plant in removing protozoa and the effectiveness of the Brazilian legislation on microbiological protection were evaluated, emphasizing the relevance of implementing the QMRA in this context. Two distinct approaches were employed to estimate the mechanical removal of protozoa:The definitions provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the model proposed by Neminski and Ongerth.Although the raw water collected had a higher concentration of Giardia cysts than Cryptosporidium oocysts, the estimated values for the annual risk of infection were significantly higher for Cryptosporidium than for Giardia. From a general perspective, the risk values of protozoa infection were either below or very near the limit set by the World Health Organization (WHO). In contrast, all the risk values of Cryptosporidium infection exceeded the threshold established by theUSEPA. Ultimately, it was concluded that the implementation of the QMRA methodology should be considered by the Brazilian authorities, as the requirements and guidelines provided by the Brazilian legislation proved to be insufficient to guarantee the microbiological safety of drinking water. In this context, the QMRA application can effectively contribute to the prevention and investigation of outbreaks of waterborne disease.

Cryptosporidium disease of small ruminants in the region of El Taref and Mostaghanem

In order to identify and quantify Cryptosporidium infection in small ruminants in northern Algeria, specifically in the regions of Tarf and Mostaganem, a three-year survey was conducted between 2019 and 2021. The epidemiological investigation covered several aspects of the prevalence and etiology of Cryptosporidium, including various factors suspected to contribute to the spread of the causative agent of this disease. In addition, a confirmatory study was initiated, with bacteriological and histopathological tests performed on samples collected during the survey period from the various farms examined. The results showed that the epidemic takes several aspects for its spread as well as its persistence, the bacteriological results showed a coincidence of the presence of the pathogen in a significant proportion, and the histopathological interpretation of the slides revealed the diversity of lesions at the intestinal level with the predominance and inversion of enterocytes by sporozoites, resulting in the recurrence of lesions in the different organs collected in all species studied, cattle, sheep and goats.

Investigation of Factors Associated with Subclinical Infections of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium canis in Kennel-Housed Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris).

Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic protozoal pathogens, spread by a fecal-oral route, which can infect a wide range of hosts including but not limited to dogs and humans. Giardia was recently estimated to be present in 37% to 50% of kennel-housed dogs. Cryptosporidium infections in kennel-housed dogs have been reported in 7% to 21% of the population. The goal of this study was to define demographic factors and fecal scores associated with positive screening test cases of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in kennel-housed laboratory dogs in the state of Texas. Fecal samples were collected from 153 clinically normal laboratory dogs at an academic research facility and a local laboratory dog supplier. We used 3 diagnostic tests evaluated in parallel to determine test positivity to each organism: a human point-of-care coproantigen test, a direct immunofluorescent assay, and an in-house polymerase chain reaction. Dogs were significantly more likely to test positive for Giardia (45%) than Cryptosporidium (7%) (P < 0.01). Dogs that were 18 mo of age or younger had 3 times the odds (P = 0.009) of subclinical Giardia infection compared with older dogs. We found no significant relationship between age and Cryptosporidium prevalence. Dogs with hard feces (fecal score 1-2) at the time of screening had 0.34 times lower odds ( P = 0.049) of testing positive for Giardia than dogs with normal feces, but no statistically significant relationship was found between fecal score and Cryptosporidium -positive test status. With these findings, we demonstrated the value of considering age and fecal score when choosing which dogs to screen for subclinical Giardia. Additional studies with larger sample sizes should be conducted to determine the relationship between age and fecal score and subclinical Cryptosporidium infection.

Diagnostic evaluation of nested PCR and microscopy for Cryptosporidiosis in goats: can COWP gene based qRT-PCR be useful in assessment of active Cryptosporidial infections?

The present research delved into the transmission patterns, diagnostic methods, molecular traits, and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium species. The research was undertaken to enhance comprehension of the epidemiology and the potential for zoonotic transmission. A total of 80 goat-kid samples were tested, 7 were confirmed positive by mZN microscopy and 12 by nested-PCR. By PCR, 18SSUrRNA, HSP70, and GP60 amplicons were tested for Cryptosporidium. The restriction enzymes viz., SspI, VspI and MboII were used to genotype 12 Cryptosporidium positive samples by which C. parvum and C. bovis mixed infections were detected. Quantitative reverse transcription real-time PCR was used to transcriptionally screen the COWP-subunit genes to assess the severity of the infection in goat-kids, which showed upregulation of COWP6 and COWP4, while COWP9 and COWP3 genes were downregulated. A silent mutation was found at the codon CCA→CCC, which is being reported for the first time in goat field isolates. Phylogenetic and sequencing analyses confirmed the presence of the anthropozoonotic IIe subtype.

Cryptosporidium spp. and Eimeria spp. (Apicomplexa: Eimeriorina) of freshwater Cyprinid fish species in the Kura River basin in Azerbaijan territory.

This study aims to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria spp. oocysts in fish specimens in the river Kura. It was conducted during the 2021-2022 at two sites: Mingachevir reservoir in central Azerbaijan and in Neftchala district where the river finally enters the Caspian Sea through a delta of the Kura River estuary. The diagnosis of oocysts was performed microscopically. Fine smears from the intestine epithelial layers stained by Ziehl-Neelsen for Cryptosporidium oocysts. To identify Eimeria oocysts, each fish's faecal material and intestinal scrapings were examined directly under a light microscope in wet samples on glass slides with a coverslip. Results revealed a prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria species infections in fish hosts from both territories Rutilus caspicus, Alburnus filippi, Abramis brama orientalis and Carassius gibelio. Of 170 investigated fish specimens, 8.8% (15/170) were infected with Cryptosporidium species oocysts. Eimeria species oocysts were identified in 20.6% (35/170). The presence of Cryptosporidium and Eimeria infections in fish specimens are natural infections. However, their presence in fish species may be attributed to the age of the fish species and water pollution. This is the first report regarding the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in fish species in Azerbaijan.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in pet cats in Henan Province, central China

Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis often infect humans, cats, and other mammals, causing diarrhea and being responsible for numerous outbreaks of waterborne and foodborne infections worldwide. The rapid increase in the number of pet cats poses a substantial public health risk. However, there were few reports about the infection of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis infections in pet cats in Henan Province, central China. Thus, to understand the prevalence and genetic distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pet cats, and to evaluate the zoonotic potential, possible transmission routes and public health implications of isolates, fecal samples (n = 898) were randomly collected from pet cats in 11 cities in Henan Province, central China. Nested PCR based on the SSU rRNA gene and bg gene was used to the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis, respectively. The prevalence was 0.8 % (7/898) and 2.0 % (18/898) for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis respectively. Additionally, the Cryptosporidium spp. positive isolates were identified as C. parvum subtype IIdA19G1 by gp60 gene. In the present study, the IIdA19G1 subtype was discovered in pet cats for the first time in China, enriching the information on the host type and geographical distribution of Cryptosporidium spp. in China. For G. duodenalis, a total of 18 G. duodenalis positive samples were identified, belonging to four assemblages: a zoonotic assemblage A1 (4/898), three host-specific assemblages C (8/898), D (5/898), and F (1/898). Interestingly, we found that pet cats infected with Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis are more likely to experience emaciation symptoms compared to the negative group. More importantly, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis detected in the present study were low, but the subtype IIdA19G1 of Cryptosporidium spp. and the assemblages A1, C, D, and F of G. duodenalis have the potential for zoonotic transmission. Thus, we should focus on preventing and controlling the risk of cross-species transmission that may occur in pet cats in Henan Province.

In silico and in vivo evaluation of the anti-cryptosporidial activity of eugenol.

Cryptosporidiosis is an opportunistic parasitic disease widely distributed worldwide. Although Cryptosporidium sp. causes asymptomatic infection in healthy people, it may lead to severe illness in immunocompromised individuals. Limited effective therapeutic alternatives are available against cryptosporidiosis in this category of patients. So, there is an urgent need for therapeutic alternatives for cryptosporidiosis. Recently, the potential uses of Eugenol (EUG) have been considered a promising novel treatment for bacterial and parasitic infections. Consequently, it is suggested to investigate the effect of EUG as an option for the treatment of cryptosporidiosis. The in silico bioinformatics analysis was used to predict and determine the binding affinities and intermolecular interactions of EUG and Nitazoxanide (NTZ) toward several Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) lowa II target proteins. For animal study, five groups of immunosuppressed Swiss albino mice (10 mice each) were used. Group I was left uninfected (control), and four groups were infected with 1,000 oocysts of Cryptosporidium sp. The first infected group was left untreated. The remaining three infected groups received NTZ, EUG, and EUG + NTZ, respectively, on the 6th day post-infection (dpi). All mice were sacrificed 30 dpi. The efficacy of the used formulas was assessed by counting the number of C. parvum oocysts excreted in stool of infected mice, histopathological examination of the ileum and liver tissues and determination of the expression of iNOS in the ileum of mice in different animal groups. treatment with EUG resulted in a significant reduction in the number of oocysts secreted in stool when compared to infected untreated mice. In addition, oocyst excretion was significantly reduced in mice received a combination therapy of EUG and NTZ when compared with those received NTZ alone. EUG succeeded in reverting the histopathological alterations induced by Cryptosporidium infection either alone or in combination with NTZ. Moreover, mice received EUG showed marked reduction of the expression of iNOS in ileal tissues. Based on the results, the present study signified a basis for utilizing EUG as an affordable, safe, and alternative therapy combined with NTZ in the management of cryptosporidiosis.

Concentration and risk assessment of Cryptosporidium infection associated with exposure to the Njoro River, Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru, Kenya

BackgroundCryptosporidium is a gastrointestinal pathogen. The oocysts are transmitted through the environment, and drinking contaminated water is one particular route. There is heavy pollution of Cryptosporidium in Njoro River, the main source of drinking water for humans and animals around the watershed. However, there is no information on the parasite concentration and estimated health risk exposed to these populations. This study determined the level of contamination and risk of infection by Cryptosporidium parasites in Njoro River. Water samples were collected monthly from three ecological sites along Njoro River for twelve months. Cryptosporidium oocysts were concentrated from these water samples using calcium carbonate flocculation method, examined and counted using epifluorescent microscopy. Quantitative microbial risk assessment was applied to estimate the health risk of Cryptosporidium infection in Njoro River using a beta-Poisson dose–response model.ResultsThe concentration of Cryptosporidium parasites in Njoro River is 0.936 ± 0.73 oocysts/litre. However, this concentration fluctuates with ecological site of the river; highest concentration occurs at downstream (1.325 ± 0.73), followed by midstream (0.917 ± 0.74) and least at upstream (0.567 ± 0.54). Concentration of Cryptosporidium in the river is higher during wet than dry seasons, with the difference in mean concentrations between the two seasons being significant (t(34) = − 6.101, p < 0.01). There was a negative correlation between Cryptosporidium concentration, temperature and pH, while a strong positive correlation existed between Cryptosporidium concentration and turbidity. The daily probability of infection by Cryptosporidium in Njoro River watershed is 0.25, while the annual risk is 0.99.ConclusionsNjoro River is heavily polluted with Cryptosporidium parasites. This exposes both the humans and animals that drink water from this river to a high risk of cryptosporidiosis, a potentially fatal infection particularly in immunocompromised individuals.

Cryptosporidium-associated enteritis in captive koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Cryptosporidium spp. sporadically infect a range of Australian native mammals including koalas, red kangaroos, eastern grey kangaroos, bilbies and brush tailed possums and can range from asymptomatic to fatal infections. Traditionally considered a disease of the young or immuno-compromised, and resulting in profuse diarrhoea in other species, here we report an atypical clinical syndrome associated with Cryptosporidium in a captive population of koalas. All affected animals were in-contact adults, and demonstrated anorexia, dehydration and abdominal pain in the absence of diarrhoea. Following euthanasia on welfare grounds, Cryptosporidium infection was confirmed postmortem in three of four symptomatic animals via faecal floatation and/or intestinal histopathology, with enteritis also diagnosed in the fourth koala. Further screening of the captive colony found the outbreak had been contained. Based on sequencing the cause of the infection was C. fayeri, but the source was undetermined. In conclusion, Cryptosporidium should be considered as a possible cause of generalised illness in koalas.

Cryptosporidium infection in captive wild animals at Sanda Kyarimi Zoo in Maiduguri, Nigeria

Wild mammals are essential food sources for man and animal predators. Cryptosporidium species have a broad host range, including wildlife, which serve as crucial disease reservoirs for domestic animals and humans with a potential public health concern. The scarcity of information on the incidence of cryptosporidiosis among wild animals in North-eastern Nigeria necessitated the present study, which investigated the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts among captive wild mammals in Maiduguri. Faecal samples collected from Artiodactyla/Proboscidae (n=9), Carnivores (n=7), Primates (n=9), Reptilia (n=4), and Rodentia (n=2) were examined using the ZiehlNeelsen staining technique to detect Cryptosporidium oocyst. Of the 31 captive mammals examined, 17 (54.8%), 14 (45.2%), 9 (29.0%) and 22 (71.0%) were respectively classified as males, females, young and adults. A total of 12 (38.7%; 95% CI: 23.7, 56.2) out of the 31 examined samples were positive, with a higher prevalence of 57.1% (95% CI: 25.0, 84.2) observed among carnivores compared to the other animals. There was no statistical association (p &gt; 0.05) between the occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts and sex as well as the age of the individual mammal species examined. This paper underscores the role of anthroponotic and zoonotic transmission at the human-wildlife interface in zoological gardens (Zoo) and parks worldwide.

Frequency and Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium in Adult Prim'Holstein Dairy Cattle Farms in the North of France.

Cryptosporidium apicomplexan protozoa are ubiquitous intracellular agents affecting humans and animals. In particular, bovine cryptosporidiosis is recognized as endemic worldwide. However, epidemiological investigations remain limited in France regarding the burden of these parasites in cattle. To improve our understanding of the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis, the main aim of this study was to determine the frequency and the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in adult Prim'Holstein dairy cattle farms in the north of France. Fecal specimens were collected from 1454 non-diarrheic and non-pregnant animals (nulli-, primi-, or multiparous) throughout 20 farms in an area of 110 km around Lille. For Cryptosporidium species identification, nested PCR followed by sequence and phylogenetic analyses were used. The overall frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. in-fection was 30.00% (C.I. 95%: 12.83-54.33) in farms and 0.89% (C.I. 95%: 0.498-1.57) at the individual level. In primi- or multiparous cows, only C. andersoni was found. C. ryanae, C. bovis/xiaoi and C. andersoni were detected in heifers. The phylogenetic tree confirmed that analyzed sequences were grouped with known reference sequences reported in dairy cattle. Further studies on the cumulative prevalence, risks factors and pathogenicity are needed to give a more accurate assessment of the impact of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy cattle in France.

Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in dairy cattle in Khon Kaen, Thailand

Background and Aim: Cryptosporidium spp. are important parasites in the small intestines of humans and animals, particularly cattle. The aim of this study was to estimate the molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy cattle in five districts of Khon Kaen province, Thailand, and to identify Cryptosporidium spp. Materials and Methods: From July 2020 to October 2021, 296 fecal samples were collected from three groups of dairy cattle: Calves aged &lt;3 months, calves aged 3 months–1 year, and calves aged &gt;1 year. Cryptosporidium spp. were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplifying the 18s RNA gene. Both genus-specific and species-specific primers were used to identify Cryptosporidium confirmed by DNA sequencing. Age, house floor type, and water trough type were evaluated as risk factors. We analyzed all associated risk factor information using the logistic regression test in the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Results: PCR results showed that 40 (13.51%) out of 296 samples were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., including Cryptosporidium bovis (57.50%) and Cryptosporidium ryanae (2.50%). There was a significant association between Cryptosporidium incidence, cattle age, and house floor type (p = 0.05). National Center for Biotechnology Information Basic Local Alignment Search Tool displayed 99.48%–100% nucleotide similarity of each Cryptosporidium spp. isolate with references recorded on GenBank. Conclusion: C. bovis and C. ryanae are commonly found in dairy cattle, especially calves, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, and the incidence was associated with age and house floor type. A molecular technique may be influential for species identification. The results of the present study would provide useful information for veterinarians and animal owners to understand better Cryptosporidium spp. and how to manage farms properly. Keywords: bovine cryptosporidiosis, Cryptosporidium, dairy cattle, molecular prevalence.