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Molecular investigation of Cryptosporidium in small caged pets in northeast China: host specificity and zoonotic implications

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Abstract

This study screened 151 pet-derived fecal specimens randomly collected from four commercial markets in northeast China for the presence of Cryptosporidium by genus-specific nested PCRs of the small subunit rRNA gene. Of these, 14 specimens (9.3 %) from nine species of birds, two types of rodents, and a hedgehog were positive for Cryptosporidium. Sequence analysis on the PCR-positive isolates facilitated identification of three Cryptosporidium species (C. baileyi, C. galli, and C. ubiquitum) and two Cryptosporidium genotypes (ferret genotype and avian genotype V). The study birds were affected predominantly with bird-specific C. baileyi (Atlantic canary, budgerigar, crested myna, rock dove, and silky fowl), C. galli (Chinese hwamei), and Cryptosporidium avian genotype V (Fischer’s lovebird and rosy-faced lovebird). Cryptosporidium ferret genotype previously considered rodent-adapted was identified in three specimens from budgerigar, chipmunk, and red squirrel. Two specimens collected from common hill myna and hedgehog were positive for C. ubiquitum. The species of birds that can be colonized by Cryptosporidium were extended. Moreover, the data expanded the host range of Cryptosporidium ferret genotype and C. ubiquitum, especially the birds. The carriage of zoonotic C. ubiquitum in small caged pets is of public health importance.

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Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledge the financial support from the Young Talents’ Project of Northeast Agricultural University (no. 14QC19) and the University Nursing Program for Young Scholars with Creative Talents in Heilongjiang Province (no. UNPYSCT-2015008).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Veterinary Medicine, Northeast Agricultural University, 59 Mucai street, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150030, China

    Qiao Li, Wei Tao, Yanxue Jiang, Qiang Wan, Yongchao Lin & Wei Li

  2. College of Animal Science and Technology, Henan University of Science and Technology, 70 Tianjin road, Luoyang, Henan, 471003, China

    Lu Li

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  1. Qiao Li
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  2. Lu Li
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  3. Wei Tao
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  4. Yanxue Jiang
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  5. Qiang Wan
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  6. Yongchao Lin
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  7. Wei Li
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Correspondence to Wei Li.

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Li, Q., Li, L., Tao, W. et al. Molecular investigation of Cryptosporidium in small caged pets in northeast China: host specificity and zoonotic implications. Parasitol Res 115, 2905–2911 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5076-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-016-5076-4

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