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Diagnosis, risk factors analysis and first molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Abstract: An analysis was made of the frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples from horses raised on farms in the Teresópolis city, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the risk factors that favored this infection. Between 2019 and 2020, 314 samples of equine feces were collected, 287 of which came from English Thoroughbred horses and 27 from ponies. Information on the horses and their management were retrieved from a stud book and forms filled out by trainers. The fecal samples were subjected to macroscopic analysis, modified Sheather's and Lutz parasitological techniques, safranin staining, and to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for the detection of coproantigens. All the samples that tested positive by these techniques underwent partial sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene to characterize the protozoan species. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 35 (11.1%) of the samples, 34 from English Thoroughbred horses and one from a pony. Based on a logistic regression model, it was found that the presence of dogs and small ruminants on the farms, and drinking water from a spring, were significantly associated with the animals' infection by the protozoan (p < 0.05). Eight of the English Thoroughbred horse samples underwent molecular characterization, which revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium felis in one sample and Cryptosporidium parvum in seven. The seven samples containing C. parvum were subjected to gp60 gene analysis, based on which nucleotide sequences typical of the IIa family were identified, which are usually transmitted from animals to humans. In addition, the genotype IIaA15G2R1, which is considered to have the highest profile of zoonotic transmissibility, was identified in one Thoroughbred horse. This is the first study conducted in the state of Rio de Janeiro that molecularly characterized Cryptosporidium spp. in horses, and the first on the American continent to detect C. felis in the feces of these animals.
Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Publication Date: 2021-11-25 PubMed ID: 35012721DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100665Google Scholar: Lookup The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research focuses on the detection, risk factors, and molecular analysis of Cryptosporidium spp., a parasitic protozoa, in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. High presence of Cryptosporidium was detected in English Thoroughbred horses and associated with certain environmental factors. The study also marks the first time Cryptosporidium felis was detected in horses on the American continent.
About Cryptosporidium and its Detection
- Cryptosporidium is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. Both the disease and the parasite are commonly known as “Crypto”.
- The study aimed to determine the frequency of Cryptosporidium in horses raised in farms in Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro. Between 2019 and 2020, 314 samples of horse feces were collected and analysed.
- Various techniques such as macroscopic analysis, Sheather’s and Lutz parasitological techniques, safranin staining, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used for detecting the parasite.
- Cryptosporidium was detected in about 11.1% of the samples, mostly from English Thoroughbred horses.
Risk Factors of Infection
- The study also identified risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection, including the presence of dogs and small ruminants on the farming property and horses consuming spring water.
- These factors were statistically significant and showed a direct relationship with infection rates in the studied horses.
Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium
- The research further conducted a partial sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene, followed by gp60 gene analysis for molecular characterization of the protozoan species.
- Two species, Cryptosporidium felis and Cryptosporidium parvum, were identified among the samples.
- Seven samples containing C. parvum showed nucleotide sequences typical of the IIa family, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.
- A genotype linked to high zoonotic transmissibility, IIaA15G2R1, was found in one horse, indicating possible health risks to humans.
- This is the first research that has characterized Cryptosporidium at a molecular level in horses in Rio de Janeiro, and the first in the American continent to detect C. felis in horse feces.
Cite This Article
APA
Ribeiro DSC, Martins AV, Lobão LF, Ribeiro MS, Palmer JPS, Corrêa LL, Uchôa CMA, da Silva S, Meireles MV, Amendoeira MRR, Barbosa ADS.
(2021).
Diagnosis, risk factors analysis and first molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in horses from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports, 27, 100665.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vprsr.2021.100665 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil; Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Campus Quinta do Paraíso, Estrada Wenceslau José de Medeiros, 1045, Prata, Teresópolis, Rio de Janeiro, 25976-340, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil.
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas, Laboratório de Parasitologia, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21045900, Brazil.
- Universidade Estadual Paulista, Campus Araçatuba, Rua Clóvis Pestana, 793, Bairro Dona Amélia, CEP 16050-680, Araçatuba, SP, Brazil.
- Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozoooses, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21045900, Brazil.
- Universidade Federal Fluminense, Instituto Biomédico, Departamento de Microbiologia e Parasitologia, Rua Hernani de Mello, 101, São Domingos, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro 24210130, Brazil; Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Laboratório de Toxoplasmose e outras Protozoooses, Avenida Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, Rio de Janeiro 21045900, Brazil. Electronic address: alynnedsb@gmail.com.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Brazil / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / diagnosis
- Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidium / genetics
- Cryptosporidium parvum / genetics
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horses
- Risk Factors
- United States
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Vilela VLR, Feitosa TF, Silva WI, Katzer F. Cryptosporidium spp. in livestock in Brazil: An underestimated threat to animal and human health. Curr Res Parasitol Vector Borne Dis 2025;8:100312.
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