Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from foals in Italy.
Abstract: Fourteen Cryptosporidium isolates from hospitalized foals were genotyped and subtyped using PCR-RFLP analysis of the 18S rDNA. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium horse genotype were detected in 3 and 11 stool specimens, respectively. Sequences of the gp60 gene of Cryptosporidium horse genotype allowed identification of the subtype family VIaA15G4, defining a novel microsatellite pattern within horse subtype VIa. Cryptosporidium horse genotype has only been described occasionally worldwide and this is the first time it has been identified in foals from Italy.
Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Publication Date: 2013-09-17 PubMed ID: 24138936DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.004Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This research paper describes the use of genetic analysis to identify specific types of the Cryptosporidium spp. parasite in foals in Italy. The researchers found both Cryptosporidium parvum and a subtype of Cryptosporidium specific to horses, noting the first occurrence of the latter in Italian foals.
Identification of Cryptosporidium Isolates
- The researchers conducted a molecular level study on 14 samples of Cryptosporidium, a type of parasite, isolated from young horses (foals) being treated in a hospital setting.
- They identified the type of Cryptosporidium present in each sample using a technique known as PCR-RFLP analysis. This technique involves amplifying the DNA of the parasite (PCR) and then cutting the DNA into fragments using restriction enzymes (RFLP). By analyzing the pattern of these fragments, they could determine the specific type of Cryptosporidium present in the stool samples.
Identification of Cryptosporidium Subtypes
- In their analysis, the researchers found two main types of Cryptosporidium: Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium horse genotype. The former was present in 3 of the stool samples, and the latter was found in 11 samples.
- They then took the Cryptosporidium horse genotype samples and performed further genetic analysis, looking specifically at the gp60 gene. This allowed them to identify even more specific subtypes within the Cryptosporidium horse genotype group.
Novel Findings
- Within the Cryptosporidium horse genotype group, they identified the subtype family VIaA15G4. This is notable because it represents a new pattern within the horse-specific VIa subtype, indicating a unique microsatellite pattern not previously reported.
- The researchers also noted that this is the first time the Cryptosporidium horse genotype had been found in foals in Italy. Cryptosporidium is known to cause gastrointestinal illness in animals, so its presence in this population serves as an important data point for monitoring animal health.
Cite This Article
APA
Caffara M, Piva S, Pallaver F, Iacono E, Galuppi R.
(2013).
Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from foals in Italy.
Vet J, 198(2), 531-533.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.09.004 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Veterinary Medical Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum, Bologna University, Via Tolara di Sopra 50, 40064 Ozzano Emilia (BO), Italy. Electronic address: monica.caffara@unibo.it.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
- Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
- Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
- Cryptosporidium / classification
- Cryptosporidium / genetics
- Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
- Cryptosporidium parvum / classification
- Cryptosporidium parvum / genetics
- Cryptosporidium parvum / isolation & purification
- DNA, Protozoan / genetics
- DNA, Protozoan / metabolism
- Feces / parasitology
- Genes, Protozoan
- Genotype
- Horse Diseases / epidemiology
- Horse Diseases / parasitology
- Horses
- Italy / epidemiology
- Microsatellite Repeats
- Molecular Sequence Data
- Phylogeny
- Polymerase Chain Reaction / veterinary
- Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
- RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / metabolism
- Sequence Analysis, DNA / veterinary
Citations
This article has been cited 10 times.- Li XM, Geng HL, Wei YJ, Yan WL, Liu J, Wei XY, Zhang M, Wang XY, Zhang XX, Liu G. Global prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in Equus: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022;12:1072385.
- Lebbad M, Winiecka-Krusnell J, Stensvold CR, Beser J. High Diversity of Cryptosporidium Species and Subtypes Identified in Cryptosporidiosis Acquired in Sweden and Abroad. Pathogens 2021 Apr 26;10(5).
- Takaki Y, Takami Y, Watanabe T, Nakaya T, Murakoshi F. Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium isolates from ill exotic pet animals in Japan including a new subtype in Cryptosporidium fayeri. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2020 Jul;21:100430.
- Wang W, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Zhao A, Jing B, Zhang L, Liu P, Qi M, Zhao W. Prevalence and genotypic identification of Cryptosporidium in free-ranging and farm-raised donkeys (Equus asinus asinus) in Xinjiang, China. Parasite 2020;27:45.
- Couso-Pérez S, de Limia FB, Ares-Mazás E, Gómez-Couso H. First report of zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum GP60 subtypes IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1 in wild ponies from the northern Iberian Peninsula. Parasitol Res 2020 Jan;119(1):249-254.
- Attia MM, Khalifa MM, Atwa MT. The prevalence and intensity of external and internal parasites in working donkeys (Equus asinus) in Egypt. Vet World 2018 Sep;11(9):1298-1306.
- Liu A, Zhang J, Zhao J, Zhao W, Wang R, Zhang L. The first report of Cryptosporidium andersoni in horses with diarrhea and multilocus subtype analysis. Parasit Vectors 2015 Sep 22;8:483.
- Wagnerová P, Sak B, McEvoy J, Rost M, Matysiak AP, Ježková J, Kváč M. Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. including novel identification of the Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium tyzzeri in horses in the Czech Republic and Poland. Parasitol Res 2015 Apr;114(4):1619-24.
- Dahmani A, Salhi O, Nabi M, Boucif A, Mekroud M, Touhami NAK, Ouchene N. Abortive diseases in horses and donkeys in Algeria: a systematic review. Trop Anim Health Prod 2026 Jan 5;58(1):30.
- Figueiredo AM, Köster PC, Dashti A, Torres RT, Fonseca C, Mysterud A, Bailo B, Carvalho J, Ferreira E, Hipólito D, Fernandes J, Lino A, Palmeira JD, Sarmento P, Neves N, Carrapato C, Calero-Bernal R, Carmena D. Molecular Detection and Distribution of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium spp. Infections in Wild and Domestic Animals in Portugal. Transbound Emerg Dis 2023;2023:5849842.
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