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Zoonoses and public health2009; 57(7-8); 510-517; doi: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01261.x

Epidemiological survey on equine cryptosporidium and giardia infections in Italy and molecular characterization of isolates.

Abstract: Cryptosporidium and Giardia are two of the most common enteric pathogens of domestic and wild animals and humans. However, little is known on the prevalence, clinical manifestations and economic and zoonotic significance of these infections in horses. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, excretion patterns and risk factors related to the faecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts in horses and the zoonotic potential of species/genotypes isolated. The survey was performed on 120 foals and 30 broodmares reared in five Italian farms. Foals were divided in four homogeneous groups of 30 animals each (age classes: 0-2, 2-4, 4-8, >8 weeks). Three sequential faecal samples were collected from each animal and analysed by three techniques: direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), faecal flotation (FF) and stained faecal smears (SFS). The DFA results showed a prevalence of 8% for Cryptosporidium and of 13.33% for Giardia; the prevalence values obtained by FF and SFS were lower and in poor agreement with DFA results. Giardia and Cryptosporidium infections were more common in foals (23.33% and 26.66% respectively) and higher excretions were observed in the youngest foals. Distribution of Cryptosporidium prevalence was statistically related to farms (P < 0.01), age of animals (P < 0.01), but was unrelated to the presence of diarrhoea. In the case of Giardia, the prevalence was only related to age (P < 0.01). Pattern sheddings were related to intestinal diseases and horse age (P < 0.01). Risk factors for shedding included residence farms and age older than 8 weeks for both parasites. All DFA-positive faecal samples were submitted to DNA extraction and PCR to determine Giardia and Cryptosporidium species/genotypes. Sequence analysis of the COWP gene of Cryptosporidium and of the SSU-rRNA gene of Giardia revealed that they were identical to each other and identified Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis assemblage E. The potential role of infected horses in zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium was supported by the findings of this study.
© 2009 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.
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Publication Date: 2009-11-17 PubMed ID: 19912609DOI: 10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01261.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

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The study investigates the prevalence, health effects, and risk factors of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in horses, especially in foals, and points out the potential risks of these infections to humans.

Objectives and Methodologies

  • The research aimed to explore the prevalence, excretion patterns, and risk factors of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts, two common intestinal pathogens, in horses.
  • 120 foals and 30 broodmares reared in five Italian farms participated in the study. The foals were divided into four age categories (0-2, 2-4, 4-8, >8 weeks).
  • Three sequential faecal samples from each participant were tested using direct fluorescent antibody test (DFA), faecal flotation (FF), and stained faecal smears (SFS) methods.

Findings and Analysis

  • According to the DFA results, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 8% and of Giardia 13.33%. These rates were found to be higher than those obtained through FF and SFS methods.
  • The Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections were more common in foals, with prevalence rates of 26.66% and 23.33%, respectively. Younger foals demonstrated higher excretions of these parasites.
  • The distribution of Cryptosporidium cases was statistically related to the farms (P < 0.01) and the age of the animals (P < 0.01), but not to the presence of diarrhoea.
  • In the case of Giardia, the prevalence correlated only with age (P < 0.01). The researchers found that the shedding patterns were tied to both intestinal diseases and the age of the horses (P < 0.01).

Implications

  • Risk factors for shedding included residence farms and age older than 8 weeks for both parasites. Therefore, increased attention should be paid to the health management of young foals and hygiene maintenance in animal rearing farms.
  • The DNA analysis of the DFA-positive samples showed that the Giardia and Cryptosporidium species discovered in these horses were identical to the kinds known to infect humans, suggesting a potential risk of zoonotic transmission.

Cite This Article

APA
Veronesi F, Passamonti F, Cacciò S, Diaferia M, Piergili Fioretti D. (2009). Epidemiological survey on equine cryptosporidium and giardia infections in Italy and molecular characterization of isolates. Zoonoses Public Health, 57(7-8), 510-517. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1863-2378.2009.01261.x

Publication

Zoonoses and public health
ISSN: 1863-2378
NlmUniqueID: 101300786
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 57
Issue: 7-8
Pages: 510-517

Researcher Affiliations

Veronesi, F
  • Department of Biopathological and Hygiene of Animal and Food Productions, Section of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine-University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy.
Passamonti, F
    Cacciò, S
      Diaferia, M
        Piergili Fioretti, D

          MeSH Terms

          • Animals
          • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
          • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
          • Cryptosporidiosis / transmission
          • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
          • Cryptosporidium / classification
          • Cryptosporidium / genetics
          • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
          • Cryptosporidium / pathogenicity
          • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
          • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
          • Feces / parasitology
          • Female
          • Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Direct / veterinary
          • Genotype
          • Giardia / classification
          • Giardia / genetics
          • Giardia / isolation & purification
          • Giardia / pathogenicity
          • Giardiasis / epidemiology
          • Giardiasis / genetics
          • Giardiasis / parasitology
          • Giardiasis / transmission
          • Giardiasis / veterinary
          • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
          • Horse Diseases / parasitology
          • Horse Diseases / transmission
          • Horses
          • Humans
          • Italy / epidemiology
          • Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
          • Prevalence
          • Risk Factors
          • Sequence Alignment / veterinary
          • Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
          • Species Specificity
          • Zoonoses

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