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Isolates of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium parvum have been differentiated into 2 genotypes: genotype 'H', which is associated only with human infections, and genotype 'C', which is associated with both human and animal infections. To date, the analysis of polymorphisms of genes and of the small subunit ribosomal DNA have revealed no heterogeneity within the 2 genotypes. In the present study, a locus containing simple sequence repeats (microsatellites) was PCR amplified and sequenced from 94 C. parvum isolates, which were collected from humans (immunocompetent and immunocompromized individuals, outbreak and single cases) and from several animal hosts in 3 continents. The analysis revealed that genotype 'H' can be further differentiated into 2 subgenotypes, and genotype 'C' can be further differentiated into 4 subgenotypes. The 6 subgenotypes differ in terms of expansions/contractions of the microsatellite repeats and by point mutations. Some subgenotypes showed a wide geographical distribution, whereas others were restricted to specific regions. Therefore, microsatellites are informative markers for more defined studies on the epidemiology, the transmission routes, and the population structure of this parasite.

Endoparasitic infections are common in stray cats. Many of these parasites are responsible for zoonoses, and stray cats can be a source of environmental contamination. The prevalence of parasites in 139 stray colony cats in the city of Milan, northern Italy, was investigated by faecal examination. The overall prevalence of endoparasites was 50.4%, with 11 different parasites found. Parasites with zoonotic potential were detected in 49.6% of cats. Concurrent infections with two or more zoonotic parasites were recorded in 14.3% of cats. Among the parasites found, the most common was Toxocara cati (33.1%; P <0.0001). The other species found by coproscopic examination were: Ancylostoma tubaeformae (7.2%), Isospora species (4.3%), Trichuris vulpis (2.9%), Dipylidium caninum (2.9%), Aelurostrongylus abstrusus (2.9%), Eucoleus aerophilus (syn Capillaria aerophila) (1.4%), Spirometra species (1.4%), Taenia pisiformis (0.7%) and Hymenolepis nana (0.7%). Coproantigen specific for Giardia duodenalis was detected in 2.9% of the samples. Pseudoparasites (eggs of mites) were found in 4.3% of the samples. No sample contained Toxoplasma gondii oocysts, despite the fact that 70 cats tested positive for T gondii-specific IgG antibodies, and none of the diarrhoetic samples tested positive for Cryptosporidium species oocysts. Variables linked to infection were body condition score (BCS), the presence of diarrhoea and infection with G duodenalis. Cats infected with G duodenalis were more likely to have a low BCS (odds ratio (OR) = 11.5, P = 0.02) and diarrhoea (OR = 30.7, P = 0.0007). The results of the present study confirm that endoparasitic infections, most of which have zoonotic potential, are distributed in stray colony cats of Milan.

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