Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in ruminants of Lorestan province, Iran

Molecular characterization and associated risk factors of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves and humans in Menoufia governorate, Egypt

Background

Cryptosporidium is a common intestine anthroponotic protozoan parasite that affects humans and other animals all over the world. Many different kinds of vertebrates have their gastrointestinal epithelium infected by the ubiquitous, obligatory parasites of Cryptosporidium spp. In humans, those with weakened immune systems, including those with acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are most affected. Particularly prevalent in developing nations, cryptosporidiosis poses further difficulties for the underfunded public health system. Humans frequently harbor a number of Cryptosporidium species, whose prevalence varies according to socioeconomic level and level of animal husbandry.

Aim

The present study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Cryptosporidium bovis and associated relevant risk factors of contracting cryptosporidiosis in calves and humans in Menoufia governorate, Egypt. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis was performed for additional molecular identification in order to study the evolution of the parasite and comprehend the mechanism of cryptosporidiosis evolution in the selected governorate.

Methods

Using direct wet smear, sedimentation technique, simple fecal flotation technique, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique, the parasitological analysis was conducted on fecal samples from 156 diarrheic calves and 125 humans in Menoufia governorate; polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis were further used.

Results

Based on the microscopical examination, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 19.2% in humans and 64.1% in calves.‎ A statistical correlation was found between the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in calves of American breeds, their early age, and the predominant warm climate. In the analyzed calves, the study was unable to detect any statistically significant difference between the type of diarrhea and increased infection. In terms of people, the study found no significant correlation between the sex of the people under inquiry, whereas a significant association was revealed among contracting cryptosporidiosis in young people, during warm climates, and among diarrhea sufferers. PCR application produced a 4% positive result. Following phylogenetic analysis, the Cryptosporidium parvum species was identified from the PCR-positive samples.

Conclusion

Different transmission trajectories were proposed by cluster analysis, and it was possible to take into consideration the role of calves for the zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis to humans.‎.

Molecular characterization and associated risk factors of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in bovine calves and humans in Menoufia governorate, Egypt

Background

Cryptosporidium is a common intestine anthroponotic protozoan parasite that affects humans and other animals all over the world. Many different kinds of vertebrates have their gastrointestinal epithelium infected by the ubiquitous, obligatory parasites of Cryptosporidium spp. In humans, those with weakened immune systems, including those with acronym for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, are most affected. Particularly prevalent in developing nations, cryptosporidiosis poses further difficulties for the underfunded public health system. Humans frequently harbor a number of Cryptosporidium species, whose prevalence varies according to socioeconomic level and level of animal husbandry.

Aim

The present study was conducted to ascertain the prevalence of Cryptosporidium bovis and associated relevant risk factors of contracting cryptosporidiosis in calves and humans in Menoufia governorate, Egypt. In addition, a phylogenetic analysis was performed for additional molecular identification in order to study the evolution of the parasite and comprehend the mechanism of cryptosporidiosis evolution in the selected governorate.

Methods

Using direct wet smear, sedimentation technique, simple fecal flotation technique, and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique, the parasitological analysis was conducted on fecal samples from 156 diarrheic calves and 125 humans in Menoufia governorate; polymerase chain reaction and phylogenetic analysis were further used.

Results

Based on the microscopical examination, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 19.2% in humans and 64.1% in calves.‎ A statistical correlation was found between the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in calves of American breeds, their early age, and the predominant warm climate. In the analyzed calves, the study was unable to detect any statistically significant difference between the type of diarrhea and increased infection. In terms of people, the study found no significant correlation between the sex of the people under inquiry, whereas a significant association was revealed among contracting cryptosporidiosis in young people, during warm climates, and among diarrhea sufferers. PCR application produced a 4% positive result. Following phylogenetic analysis, the Cryptosporidium parvum species was identified from the PCR-positive samples.

Conclusion

Different transmission trajectories were proposed by cluster analysis, and it was possible to take into consideration the role of calves for the zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis to humans.‎.

Epidemiological and Molecular Study of Cryptosporidium in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait

Cryptosporidium is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is Cryptosporidium parvum because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis in preweaned calves. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection, investigate the potential risk factors, and use molecular diagnosis to identify the predominant Cryptosporidium spp. in preweaned calves in Kuwait. Of 175 preweaned calves, Cryptosporidium antigens were detected in 58 (33.1%) using rapid lateral immunochromatography assay (IC). Calves less than one month of age (OR = 4.32, p = 0.0001) and poor hygiene (OR = 2.85, p = 0.0075) were identified as significant risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection. Molecular identification revealed that C. parvum (62.8%) was the dominant species infecting preweaned calves in Kuwait. In contrast, C. bovis and C. andersoni were recorded at 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. All C. parvum gp60 nucleotide sequences were subtype IIaA15G2R1. Calves could be a source of C. parvum infection due to the similarity of the subtypes recorded previously in Kuwaiti children and preweaned calves in this study. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the Cryptosporidium transmission cycle in Kuwait.

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular coccidian parasite causing gastrointestinal disturbances resulting in diarrhoea in humans and animals. It is more frequently detected in calves and early childhood, and one of the major causes of mortality in low-income countries. National estimates of Cryptosporidium infection rate in cattle and humans are lacking in Ethiopia. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the prevalence and assess the risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans over 20 years. Article searches were made using PubMed, HINARI, Research Gates, AJOLs and Google Scholar databases. Studies that met the inclusion criteria under the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) checklist were used. Random effects models and Inverse Variance Index were used to calculate the pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis and heterogeneity among studies, respectively. A total of 23 eligible studies published between 2000 and 2020 were selected for this study. The estimated pooled prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was found to be 16.2% and 11% in cattle and humans, respectively. Ten Cryptosporidium species were documented with cattle and human-based studies. C. andersoni, C. parvum, C. bovis and C. ryanae were the reported species in cattle. Similarly, in humans, seven types of Cryptosporidium species (such as C. parvum, C. hominis, C. viatorum, C. felis, C. meleagridis, C. canis and C. xiaoi) were recorded. C. parvum and C. hominis were the dominant and responsible species for human illness. Using gp60 gene locus analysis, various zoonotic C. parvum subgenotypes were determined in humans; but it was limited in anthroponotic C. hominis. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and humans was high and linked with several risk factors. Thus, there is a need for further epidemiological and genetic diversity studies, and awareness of creations on the disease to provide strategies that mitigate the disease in cattle and humans.

Cryptosporidium animal species in Iran: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cryptosporidiosis is an acute and short-term infection which can lead to severe diarrhea (intestinal cryptosporidiosis) associated with a persistent cough in the host with immune system defect. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of animal Cryptosporidium species and the corresponding epidemiological aspects in Iran.

METHODS

In this study, all original research articles relating to the animal cryptosporidiosis in Iran were collected from reliable databases using keywords. A meta-analysis was conducted separately for each subgroup, and heterogeneity among the studies was performed using the Q and I2 tests. Furthermore, it should be noticed that the significance level in the statistical analysis with the Comprehensive Meta-analysis software was considered to be less than 0.05. Finally, meta-analysis results were shown in forest plot with a 95% CI.

RESULTS

In total, 4795 studies were included in the initial screening. Duplicated or non-original studies and the ones which did not meet our considered criteria were excluded from the list. Out of the 100 articles included in our first list for the meta-analysis, 40, 16, 13, 10, 9, 7, and 5 were done on cattle and calves, birds, dogs, sheep, rodents, camels, and horses, respectively. The prevalence rate of cryptosporidiosis among the birds, horses, rodents, camels, dogs, cattle, and sheep in Iran was estimated to be 7.5%, 19.5%, 20.8%, 8.4%, 4.9%, 14.4%, and 9.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The different Cryptosporidium species have been found in different regions of Iran. Geographical region, climate, and domestic animals are considered as factors responsible for animal cryptosporidiosis prevalence in the area. Moreover, this parasite is zoonotic which causes disease in animals as well as humans which can result in economic loss.

First report and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in humans and animals in Khartoum state, Sudan

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Cryptosporidium is recognized to infect several mammalian species as well as humans, causing substantial economic losses and serious public health concern. Infected animals can be a source of environmental contamination and human infections. In general, the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in animals and human in Sudan and zoonotic importance is not well documented. This study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium spp. infecting different animal species and humans and to compare between different isolates obtained.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To provide molecular information about Cryptosporidium in animals and humans, both modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) specific stain and molecular assay were used. Concentration techniques followed by three protocols of DNA extraction were carried out. After microscopic screening of 263 fecal samples (goats [n=197], cattle [n=12], sheep [n=12], and human [n=42]), 61 positive and 30 negative, randomly selected samples were used in nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting part of the 18S RNA.

RESULTS

Nested PCR amplification confirmed 91.8% (56/61) of microscopic-positive samples. 8.2% (5/61) of negative samples by PCR (positive by microscopy) were considered false negatives. Sequencing followed by alignment of the 14 isolates indicated that all samples were identical (100%) and belonged to Cryptosporidium parvum.

CONCLUSION

MZN staining procedure is reliable for the routine diagnosis of Cryptosporidium; cetyltrimethylammonium bromide extraction buffer and nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene are reliable and useful in epidemiological studies of this parasite.

Zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and subtypes in lambs and goat kids in Algeria

BACKGROUND

Little is known on the occurrence and identity of Cryptosporidium species in sheep and goats in Algeria. This study aimed at investigating the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in lambs and goat kids younger than 4 weeks.

METHODS

A total of 154 fecal samples (62 from lambs and 92 from kid goats) were collected from 13 sheep flocks in Médea, Algeria and 18 goat flocks across Algiers and Boumerdes. They were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. by nested-PCR analysis of a fragment of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism and sequence analyses to determine the Cryptosporidium species present. Cryptosporidium parvum and C. ubiquitum were further subtyped by sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene.

RESULTS

Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 17 fecal samples (11.0%): 9 from lambs (14.5%) and 8 from goat kids (8.7%). The species identified included C. parvum in 3 lambs, C. xiaoi in 6 lambs and 6 goat kids, and C. ubiquitum in 2 goat kids. Cryptosporidium infections were detected mostly in animals during the first two weeks of life (7/8 for goat kids and 7/9 for lambs) and in association with diarrhea occurrence (7/17 or 41.2% goat kids and 7/10 or 70.0% lambs with diarrhea were positive for Cryptosporidium spp.). Subtyping of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum isolates identified the zoonotic IIaA13G2R1 and XIIa subtype families, respectively. Minor differences in the SSU rRNA gene sequences were observed between C. xiaoi from sheep and goats.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of this study indicate that three Cryptosporidium species occur in lambs and goat kids in Algeria, including zoonotic C. parvum and C. ubiquitum. They are associated with the occurrence of neonatal diarrhea.

Cryptosporidium infection in bovine calves: prevalence and potential risk factors in northwest Ethiopia

Objective

Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan organism that causes gastrointestinal disorders in different animals, mainly in calves. The parasite has also a zoonotic importance of children and immunocompromised patients. However, data are limited to northwest Ethiopia. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional survey from October 2014 to April 2015 to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection and to identify potential risk factors in bovine calves in northwest Ethiopia.

Results

Out of the 360 examined calves, Cryptosporidium oocysts were recorded in 67 (18.6%) calves. Risk factors such as age, hygiene, faecal consistency, feed source, water source and contact with other domestic animals were significantly (P < 0.05) affected the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection. However, significant variations (P > 0.05) were not recorded between Cryptosporidium infection and gender, body condition score, breed and study sites. Using multivariable analysis, age, feed source, water source, hygiene and close contact with other domestic animals were recognized as potential risk factors for the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection. This study clearly figures out that Cryptosporidium infection is prevalent in the study area. Therefore, further studies, extension services and community education are recommended to adopt an integrated control approaches.