Cryptosporidium spp. in Wild, Laboratory, and Pet Rodents in China: Prevalence and Molecular Characterization

Abstract

To understand the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in rodents in China and to assess the potential role of rodents as a source for human cryptosporidiosis, 723 specimens from 18 rodent species were collected from four provinces of China and examined between August 2007 and December 2008 by microscopy after using Sheather's sugar flotation and modified acid-fast staining. Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 83 specimens, with an overall prevalence of 11.5%. Phodopus sungorus, Phodopus campbelli, and Rattus tanezumi were new reported hosts of Cryptosporidium. The genotypes and subtypes of Cryptosporidium strains in microscopypositive specimens were further identified by PCR and sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA and the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes. In addition to Cryptosporidium parvum, C. muris, C. andersoni, C. wrairi, ferret genotype, and mouse genotype I, four new Cryptosporidium genotypes were identified, including the hamster genotype, chipmunk genotype III, and rat genotypes II and III. Mixed Cryptosporidium species/ genotypes were found in 10.8% of Cryptosporidium-positive specimens. Sequence analysis of the gp60 gene showed that C. parvum strains in pet Siberian chipmunks and hamsters were all of the subtype IIdA15G1, which was found previously in a human isolate in The Netherlands and lambs in Spain. The gp60 sequences of C. wrairi and the Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and mouse genotype I were also obtained. These findings suggest that pet rodents may be potential reservoirs of zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and subtypes.

Prevalence of Intestinal Parasites in Hamsters and Rabbits in Some Pet Shops of Turkey

“…in pet rodents (3-6). Also, A. tetraptera and H. nana were observed in rodents of pet shops (3)(4)(5). In our study, the parasitic infections were found at a similar rate (54.9%-57.5%) in hamsters and rabbits.…”

“…Also, this tapeworm has been reported in some pet shop rodents (3)(4)(5). Humans have been considered to be susceptible to H. nana (1).…”

Cryptosporidiumspecies in Australian wildlife and domestic animals

“…The black rat (Rattus rattus), which originated in tropical mainland Asia and, later spreading to Europe and the rest of the world (Musser and Carleton, 1993), is now found throughout much of coastal Australia including urban and peri-urban habitats (West, 2008). Rodents, which are abundant and widespread, have been considered reservoirs of cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals (Lv et al 2009). Nearly 40 rodent species belonging to 11 families (Sciuridae, Muridae, Cricetidae, Castoridae, Geomyidae, Hystricidae, Erethizontidae, Myocastoridae, Caviidae, Hydrochoeridae, and Chinchillidae) have been reported as hosts of Cryptosporidium spp.…”

Characteristics of Cryptosporidium Transmission in Preweaned Dairy Cattle in Henan, China

“…The only exception is a recent study in Egypt, in which it was shown that 23 of 24 of C. parvuminfected preweaned dairy calves had excreted IIdA20G1 (3). In China, 10 C. parvum isolates from pet Siberian chipmunks and hamsters in Henan were identified as IIdA15G1 (22). Despite its rare occurrence in dairy cattle, the IId subtype family is common in humans in the Middle East (14,37), and has also been reported in a few human cases in Portugal, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Australia (44).…”