Genetic Diversity of Cryptosporidium in Bactrian Camels (Camelus bactrianus) in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

Abstract

Cryptosporidium species are ubiquitous enteric protozoan pathogens of vertebrates distributed worldwide. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the zoonotic potential and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels in Xinjiang, northwestern China. A total of 476 fecal samples were collected from 16 collection sites in Xinjiang and screened for Cryptosporidium by PCR. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 7.6% (36/476). Six Cryptosporidium species, C. andersoni (n = 24), C. parvum (n = 6), C. occultus (n = 2), C. ubiquitum (n = 2), C. hominis (n = 1), and C. bovis (n = 1), were identified based on sequence analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the gp60 gene identified six C. parvum isolates as subtypes, such as If-like-A15G2 (n = 5) and IIdA15G1 (n = 1), two C. ubiquitum isolates, such as subtype XIIa (n = 2), and one C. hominis isolate, such as Ixias IkA19G1 (n = 1). This is the first report of C. parvum, C. hominis, C. ubiquitum, and C. occultus in Bactrian camels in China. These results indicated that the Bactrian camel may be an important reservoir for zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and these infections may be a public health threat in this region.

Molecular detection and characterization of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis, and Enterocytozoon bieneusi infections in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Egypt

“…Our genotyping data revealed the presence of two Cryptosporidium species, including C. parvum (in two animals presenting with diarrhea) and C. bovis (in an asymptomatic animal). Cryptosporidium infections have been previously reported in diarrheic dromedary camels in Algeria ( 27 ) and Iran ( 48 ), whereas C. parvum has already been described in Egyptian dromedary camels ( 38 ); this is the first report of cattle-adapted C. bovis in this host species in the country and the third report globally after the description of the parasite in Bactrian camels in China ( 61 , 62 ). In Egypt, previous research has revealed the occurrence of C. bovis in cattle and buffalo populations ( 101 – 105 ).…”

Molecular identification and biological characterization of Cryptosporidium muris from camels (Camelus bactrianus) in China

“…Cryptosporidium infection in camels has become an increasingly important source of zoonotic disease transmission to humans, especially in communities with poor sanitation and inadequate medical facilities [30]. In recent years, there have been many reports worldwide of camel infections caused by different Cryptosporidium species, including C. parvum, C. hominis, C. andersoni, C. occultus, C. bovis, C. ubiquitum, C. muris, Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV and camel genotypes [30][31][32][33][34]. In China, C. parvum, C. hominis, C. ubiquitum, C. occultus, C. bovis and C. andersoni have been found to be infecting camels [25,34,35].…”

“…In recent years, there have been many reports worldwide of camel infections caused by different Cryptosporidium species, including C. parvum, C. hominis, C. andersoni, C. occultus, C. bovis, C. ubiquitum, C. muris, Cryptosporidium rat genotype IV and camel genotypes [30][31][32][33][34]. In China, C. parvum, C. hominis, C. ubiquitum, C. occultus, C. bovis and C. andersoni have been found to be infecting camels [25,34,35]. In this study, we first reported a C. muris isolate from Bactrian camels by sequence analyses and then verified its identity through infectivity and parasitic sites via experimental infection of laboratory animals.…”

Editorial for the Special Issue: Diagnosis, Epidemiology and Transmission Dynamics of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis

“…Finally, this special issue also included molecular epidemiological studies directed to assess the occurrence, genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pet dogs and cats [17], livestock [18], and farmed rabbits and rats [19][20][21], mostly in China.…”

“…It should be noted that most molecular-based surveys conducted so far, failed to demonstrate zoonotic transmission events between pet dogs/cats and humans [40,41]. In another survey, Cao et al [18] assessed the occurrence and molecular diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in faecal samples (n = 476) from Bactrian camels in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.…”