Genotyping Cryptosporidium andersoni in Cattle in Shaanxi Province, Northwestern China

Abstract

The present study examined the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium andersoni in cattle in Shaanxi province, China. A total of 2071 fecal samples (847 from Qinchuan cattle and 1224 from dairy cattle) were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts, and 70 samples (3.4%) were C. andersoni-positive and those positive samples were identified by PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) genes. C. andersoni was the only species found in the examined cattle in this province. Fifty-seven C. andersoni isolates were characterized into 5 MLST subtypes using multilocus sequence typing analysis, including a new subtype in the native beef breed Qinchuan cattle. All of these C. andersoni isolates presented a clonal genetic structure. These findings provide new insights into the genetic structure of C. andersoni isolates in Shaanxi province and basic data of Cryptosporidium prevalence status, which in turn have implications for controlling cryptosporidiosis in this province.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned calves in Shaanxi Province, north-western China

“…In 2013, our group published a paper identifying C. andersoni as the only species found in cattle in Shaanxi Province (Zhao et al, 2013), which is contrary to the findings of the present study. This controversy may be due to sample numbers and the detection procedure.…”

“…Additionally, in our previous study (Zhao et al, 2013), the faecal samples were first examined by microscopy and positive samples were used to determine Cryptosporidium species by molecular markers. However, microscopic observation can be affected by fat drops in faeces and low oocyst number.…”

“…Since subtypes of C. andersoni in cattle in Shaanxi Province have previously been genotyped using multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) by our group (Zhao et al, 2013), the genetic variability in C. bovis and C. ryanae was further studied.…”

“…It originates from the Guanzhong plain in Shaanxi Province and is now reared in more than 20 provinces (Lin et al, 2012). To date, a single molecular study has been carried out in cattle in this province, and, which exclusively identified the species C. andersoni (Zhao et al, 2013). To assess the public health significance of pre-weaned calf cryptosporidiosis, the infection rate was assessed by PCR detection of the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene, which was then sequenced to determine the infecting species.…”

First report of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia intestinalis and Enterocytozoon bieneusi in golden takins (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi)

“…Xi'an Wildlife Park Autumn 20 Zhao et al, 2013;Wang et al, 2014b). Therefore, host specificity and genetic characteristics may differ within C. andersoni isolates.…”