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Home / Equine Research Bank / Vet Parasitol / The prevalence of Cryptosporidium, and identification of the...
Veterinary parasitology2010; 174(1-2); 139-144; doi: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.019

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium, and identification of the Cryptosporidium horse genotype in foals in New York State.

Abstract: To date, little is known about the prevalence, genotypes and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium spp. affecting horses, especially in North America. A cross-sectional study was conducted in New York, USA between February 25th and May 1st 2009. Fecal samples were collected from three hundred and forty nine 1-10-week-old foals and their dams on 14 different broodmare farms. All fecal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. using a direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA). DNA extraction and PCR-RFLP analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene were performed on all the foal samples. PCR-positive samples were subtyped by DNA sequencing of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. On DFA, 13/175 (7.4%) foal samples and 3/174 (1.7%) mare samples were designated positive for Cryptosporidium spp., whereas on SSU rRNA-based PCR, 9/175 (5.1%) foal samples were positive. Cryptosporidium PCR-positive foals were significantly older (13-40 days, median age of 28 days) compared with negative foals (4-67 days, median 18 days, p=0.02). The number of foals with diarrhea or soft feces was not significantly different between positive and negative foals (p=0.09). PCR-RFLP analysis of the SSU rRNA gene and DNA sequencing of the gp60 gene identified the parasite as subtype VIaA14G2 of the horse genotype. This is the first report of a group of foals affected with the Cryptosporidium horse genotype, which has recently been detected in humans. As other contemporary molecular studies have identified C. parvum in foals, it seems that equine cryptosporidiosis should be considered a zoonosis.
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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Publication Date: 2010-08-24 PubMed ID: 20932647DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.019Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research study investigates the presence and genetic types of Cryptosporidium parasite in foals and their mothers in New York State, USA. The study reveals for the first time that a Cryptosporidium horse genotype, known to affect humans, is present in foals.

Study Design and Sample Collection

  • The study is a cross-sectional one, conducted between February 25th and May 1st, 2009, in New York, USA.
  • Fecal samples were collected from three hundred and forty-nine foals aged between 1-10 weeks, and their dams, across 14 different broodmare farms.

Detection of Cryptosporidium spp.

  • All fecal samples were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using a direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA).
  • Further, DNA extraction and PCR-RFLP (Polymerase Chain Reaction – Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) analysis of the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene were performed on all foal samples.

Results and Findings

  • On DFA, 7.4% of the foal samples and 1.7% of mare samples were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. In contrast, SSU rRNA-based PCR found 5.1% of foal samples positive for the parasite.
  • The report reveals a significant relationship between the age of a foal and the presence of Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporidium positive foals were significantly older (13 to 40 days, median age of 28 days) compared to the negative foals (4 to 67 days, median 18 days).
  • There was no significant difference in the number of foals suffering from diarrhea or soft feces between those found positive and negative for Cryptosporidium.
  • PCR-RFLP analysis of the SSU rRNA gene and DNA sequencing of the gp60 gene categorized the parasite as subtype VIaA14G2 of the horse genotype.
  • This study is the first of its kind to report a group of foals infected with the Cryptosporidium horse genotype, which has been recently detected in humans.

Implications

  • Based on the detection of the Cryptosporidium horse genotype in foals, this genotype appears to affect both equines and humans, suggesting that equine cryptosporidiosis should be considered a potential zoonotic disease (a disease which can be transmitted from animals to humans).
  • This study broadens our understanding of the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium affecting horses in North America.

Cite This Article

APA
Burton AJ, Nydam DV, Dearen TK, Mitchell K, Bowman DD, Xiao L. (2010). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium, and identification of the Cryptosporidium horse genotype in foals in New York State. Vet Parasitol, 174(1-2), 139-144. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetpar.2010.08.019

Publication

Veterinary parasitology
ISSN: 1873-2550
NlmUniqueID: 7602745
Country: Netherlands
Language: English
Volume: 174
Issue: 1-2
Pages: 139-144

Researcher Affiliations

Burton, A J
  • Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. ab446@uga.edu
Nydam, D V
    Dearen, T K
      Mitchell, K
        Bowman, D D
          Xiao, L

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Cross-Sectional Studies
            • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
            • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
            • Cryptosporidium / genetics
            • Feces / parasitology
            • Female
            • Genes, rRNA / genetics
            • Genotype
            • Glycoproteins / genetics
            • Horse Diseases / epidemiology
            • Horse Diseases / parasitology
            • Horses
            • Male
            • New York / epidemiology
            • Prevalence

            Citations

            This article has been cited 14 times.
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