Prevalence of Giardia duodenalis and Cryptosporidium parvum in goat kids in western France

First identification of Cryptosporidium parvum virus 1 (CSpV1) in various subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum from diarrheic calves, lambs and goat kids from France

Cryptosporidium spp. remain a major cause of waterborne diarrhea and illness in developing countries and represent a significant burden to farmers worldwide. Cryptosporidium parvum virus 1 (CSpV1), of the genus Cryspovirus, was first reported to be present in the cytoplasm of C. parvum in 1997. Full-length genome sequences have been obtained from C. parvum from Iowa (Iowa), Kansas (KSU) and China. We aimed at characterizing the genome of CSpV1 from France and used sequence analysis from Cryptosporidium isolates to explore whether CSpV1 genome diversity varies over time, with geographical sampling location, C. parvum genetic diversity, or ruminant host species. A total of 123 fecal samples of cattle, sheep and goats were collected from 17 different French departments (57 diseased animal fecal samples and 66 healthy animal fecal samples). Subtyping analysis of the C. parvum isolates revealed the presence of two zoonotic subtype families IIa and IId. Sequence analysis of CSpV1 revealed that all CSpV1 from France, regardless of the subtype of C. parvum (IIaA15G2R1, IIaA17G2R1 and IIdA18G1R1) are more closely related to CSpV1 from Turkey, and cluster on a distinct branch from CSpV1 collected from C. parvum subtype IIaA15G2R1 from Asia and North America. We also found that samples collected on a given year or successive years in a given location are more likely to host the same subtype of C. parvum and the same CSpV1 strain. Yet, there is no distinct clustering of CSpV1 per French department or ruminants, probably due to trade, and transmission of C. parvum among host species. Our results point towards (i) a close association between CSpV1 movement and C. parvum movement, (ii) recent migrations of C. parvum among distantly located departments and (iii) incidental transmission of C. parvum between ruminants. All together, these results provide insightful information regarding CSpV1 evolution and suggest the virus might be used as an epidemiological tracer for C. parvum. Future studies need to investigate CSpV1's role in C. parvum virulence and on subtype ability to infect different species.

Asymptomatic Cryptosporidium infections in ewes and lambs are a source of environmental contamination with zoonotic genotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum

Protozoan parasites of the Cryptosporidium genus cause severe cryptosporidiosis in newborn lambs. However, asymptomatic infections also occur frequently in lambs and ewes. In sheep, the most commonly detected Cryptosporidium species are C. ubiquitum, C. xiaoi and C. parvum. Due to a lack of relevant information about such infections in France, we investigated the situation on five dairy sheep farms in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques Department in south-western France in December 2017. Individual fecal samples were collected from 79 female lambs (5–17 days old) and their mothers (72 ewes). Oocysts were screened using Heine staining before and after Bailenger concentrations. Cryptosporidium species identification and genotyping were performed using real-time PCR and gp60 gene sequencing. No cases of clinical cryptosporidiosis were observed in the 79 lambs. Microscopically, Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were observed in only one lamb on one farm (prevalence 1.3%) and one ewe on another farm (prevalence 1.4%). By contrast, Cryptosporidium spp. DNA was detected in 17 ewes (prevalence ranging from 10.5% to 50% depending on the farm) and in 36 lambs (prevalence ranging from 0% to 77.8% depending on the farm). Only zoonotic Cryptosporidium parvum IId and IIa genotypes were identified when genotyping was possible. Cryptosporidium ubiquitum and C. xiaoi were detected on one and three farms, respectively. We conclude that healthy young lambs and their mothers during the peripartum period could be a source of environmental contamination with oocysts.

Frequency of different genotypes of Giardia duodenalis in slaughtered sheep and goat in east of iran

Giardia duodenalis is one of the most common and important protozoan parasites of the gastrointestinal tract in humans and animals, especially in developing countries. The purpose of this study was determining prevalence of Giardia genotypes specially zoonosis genotypes in sheep and goat in eastern of iran slaughterers.This cross-sectional study was conducted during April to November 2019. 300 fecal samples were collected from the rectum of sheep and goats. The samples were subjected to DNA extraction after sucrose gradient purification. A fragment of the glutamate dehydrogenase gene (gdh) was amplified by semi-nested PCR and genotype diagnosis was performed by digestion of the secondary PCR product with restriction enzymes RsaI and Nla IV. The prevalence of Giardia was found as (274/300) by the molecular method. Restriction endonuclease digestion of the nested-PCR product showed; among 274 positive isolates, 95 were typed as assemblage E, 15 as assemblage B, 87 assemblage AI, 45 assemblage AII, and 32 assemblege C. In this study, frequency of different assemblages of G. duodenalis was determined in sheep and goats by gdh gene and PCR-RFLP method. Same of other studies, assemblage E was dominant genotype in sheep and goats. Isolation of zoonotic assemblages as AI, AII, and BIII showed that sheep and goats should be considered as a source for human infection.

First identification of Cryptosporidium parvum zoonotic subtype IIaA15G2R1 in diarrheal lambs in France

To date, no information is available about the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in French sheep, nor their potential role as zoonotic reservoirs. A total of 23 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic lambs (<11 days old) from seven randomly selected farms. Cryptosporidium-oocysts were detected microscopically with Direct Immunofluorescence Assays (DFA) in 23/23 (100%) of fecal samples. PCR-RFLP of the 18S rRNA gene was used to determine species in all samples, and only Cryptosporidium parvum was identified. Isolates were subtyped by sequencing the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Two zoonotic subtypes within the IIa subtype family were identified, including IIaA15G2R1 (22/23) and IIaA16G3R1 (1/23). This study reports for the first time the identification and genotyping of zoonotic C. parvum subtypes from lambs in France. Sheep could thus play an important role as potential reservoirs for this zoonotic protist.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from diarrheal dairy calves in France

Cryptosporidium is an obligate intracellular protist parasite infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts and causes significant intestinal disease in both animals and humans, as some species are zoonotic. Cattle and especially calves have been identified as one of the most common reservoirs of this protist. However, little is known about the genetics of Cryptosporidium in calves in some regions of France. The aim of this study was to detect and isolate Cryptosporidium spp. in faecal samples from naturally infected pre-weaned calves (≤45 days-old) in France. A total of 35 diarrhoeic pre-weaned calf faecal samples were collected from 26 dairy cattle farms in six departments (French administrative provinces). Cryptosporidium presence was established by microscopically screening samples for oocystes with an immunofluorescent (DFA) staining method. DFA-positive samples were then analysed by PCR-RFLP and 18S rRNA gene sequencing to determine species. Cryptosporidium parvum-positive samples were subtyped via nested PCR analysis of a partial fragment of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene product. Data were then integrated into phylogenetic tree analysis. DFA revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 31 out of 35 (88%) samples. Combined with 18S rRNA gene analysis results, C. parvum was detected in 30 samples. Subtyping analysis in 27/30 samples (90%) of the C. parvum isolates revealed two zoonotic subtype families, IIa (24/27) and IId (3/27). Four subtypes were recognised within the subtype family IIa, including the hypertransmissible IIaA15G2R1 subtype that is the most frequently reported worldwide (21/27), IIaA17G3R1 (1/27), IIaA17G1R1 (1/27), and IIaA19G1R1 (1/27). Two subtypes were recognised within the IId subtype family including IIdA22G1 (2/27) and IIdA27G1 (1/27). These findings illustrate the high occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves in dairy herds and increase the diversity of molecularly characterised C. parvum isolates with the first description of IIaA17G3R1, IIaA19G1R1, and IId subtypes in France. The presence of zoonotic C. parvum subtype families (IIa, IId) in this study suggests that pre-weaned calves are likely to be a significant reservoir of zoonotic C. parvum, and highlights the importance of animal to human cryptosporidiosis transmission risk. Further molecular studies in calves and small ruminants from other French regions are required to better understand the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in France.

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Faecal samples from pre-weaned diarrheal calves were analysed

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Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 30 samples out of 35.

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C. parvum was the only species identified

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Two zoonotic subtype families were identified: IIa and IId

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The hyper-transmissible IIaA15G2R1 was the dominant C. parvum subtype

Molecular characterization of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis pathogens in Algerian sheep

Little is known about the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Algerian sheep, nor their potential role as zoonotic reservoirs. This study aimed to investigate the occurrence and distribution of these two protists in lambs. A total of 83 fecal samples were collected from lambs (< 40 days old) from 14 different farms. Samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis presence using immunofluorescent techniques (IF). Nested PCR of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene, followed by restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and sequence analyses were used to identify Cryptosporidium species. C. parvum was further subtyped by sequencing the highly polymorphic 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. For G. duodenalis, nested PCR of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and triose phosphate isomerase (tpi) genes was performed and then PCR-RFLP was used to identify G. duodenalis assemblages. Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected in 36/83 (43%) and 23/83 (28%) of fecal samples, respectively. Of the 21/36 (58%) Cryptosporidium samples that were positive with IF, 16/21 (76%) were identified as C. parvum, and 5/21 (24%) as C. ubiquitum. From 15C. parvum isolates, 2 subtypes were identified within the IIa subtype family, including IIaA21G2R1 (3/15) and IIaA13G2R1 (1/15), while IIdA16G1 (11/15) was the only subtype identified from the IId subtype family. Of the 16/23 (69%) G. duodenalis IF-positive samples, the most frequent assemblage was ruminant-specific assemblage E (10/16), followed by assemblage D (4/16), and A + E mixed assemblages (2/16). This study is the first to identify and genotype both Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Algerian lambs, and is also the first to describe G. duodenalis assemblage D in small ruminants. The presence of zoonotic C. parvum subtype families (IIa, IId), C. ubiquitum, as well as G. duodenalis assemblage A + E, indicates that sheep could play an important role as a potential reservoir for protists.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from beef calves under one month of age over three successive years in one herd in western France

Cohorts of pre-weaned calves were studied for Cryptosporidium infection over three successive years (2010–2012) in one beef cattle herd in western France. Each year 25–34 calves were sampled weekly from 3 days to one month of age in order to characterize oocyst output, Cryptosporidium species and clinical features associated with infection. Faecal samples were screened for the presence of oocysts using immunofluorescence analysis. DNA was extracted from positive samples and a PCR SSU rRNA followed by RFLP or sequencing was performed. For the subtyping of C. parvum, a gp60 PCR was carried out. Regardless of the year, 92–100% of the animals excreted oocysts on at least one sampling date. Depending on the year of observation, the age of highest prevalence varied. In contrast, the peak of excretion was systematically observed almost at the same age (2nd–3rd week of life) with excretion levels ranging from between 100 and 1.7 × 10⁷ oocysts/g of faeces. Differences concerning clinical signs depending on the year of sampling were observed. Different species patterns were observed, with a predominance of C. bovis in the 1st year and a predominance of C. parvum in the last year. Moreover, two zoonotic subtypes of C. parvum, IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA18G2R1, were recorded in different years. This study shows that, in a given farm, the Cryptosporidium species and C. parvum subtypes identified as well as the prevalence of infection and level of excretion may vary greatly and show distinct patterns according to the year.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from pre-weaned calves in western France in relation to age

Eighteen pre-weaned female calves from a single beef cattle herd in western France were sampled weekly from birth to 21/2 months of age in order to characterize Cryptosporidium oocyst output. 182 fecal samples were screened for the presence of oocysts after concentration using immunofluorescence analysis. DNA was extracted from positive samples and a PCR-RFLP protocol, with the restriction enzyme SspI and MboII, to amplify the partial SSU rRNA gene was performed. For the subtyping of Cryptosporidium parvum, a gp60 PCR was carried out. All animals excreted oocysts at at least one sampling date and 80% of the calves presented a mild diarrhea at at least one occasion, with no mortality. The prevalence of excretion reached 94% when calves were 17-23 days of age. The mean number of oocysts at the peak of excretion (10-16 days) was 5 × 10(5) oocysts per gram of feces. PCR-RFLP analysis was successful for 61 of 84 positive samples: 14 were identified as C. parvum, 15 as Cryptosporidium bovis, and 22 as Cryptosporidium ryanae. Ten mixed infections with all combinations of these species were also identified. Calves excreted the following Cryptosporidium species: C. parvum between 7 and 27 days of age, C. bovis between 11 and 38 days and C. ryanae from 19 to 72 days. The IIaA15G2R1 zoonotic subtype of C. parvum subtype was the only subtype identified. We observed the presence of different Cryptosporidium species depending on the age of the animals. This study showed that C. parvum and C. bovis can infect beef calf neonates at similar levels of oocyst excretion with or without clinical signs and that C. parvum isolates had zoonotic potential.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned kids in a dairy goat farm in western France

A longitudinal study was undertaken to characterize the course of Cryptosporidium infection in a dairy goat farm located in western France. Two cohorts of twenty-five and fifteen animals, respectively, were sampled once a week from birth to weaning. Each individual fecal sample was screened using direct immunofluorescence (IFT) and if found positive, the Cryptosporidium species was identified using PCR analysis. Seventeen (68% [95% CI: 44-91]) animals were positive at least once during the first study and 14 (93% [95% CI: 80-100]) during the second, after IFT examination. In the first study, the age at first excretion was 17 days and the peak of excretion (mean arithmetic excretion: 22,700 oocysts per gram (opg) of feces) was recorded when kids were between 22 and 28 days old. For the second study, the age at first excretion was 10 days and the peak of excretion (mean arithmetic excretion: 3.4 × 10(6)opg) was recorded in animals aged between 10 and 14 days. Clinical signs were observed only in animals of the second cohort. DNA sequence analysis at the 18S ribosomal RNA locus was successful for 9 of the 27 IFT-positive samples in the first cohort and for 10 of the 34 positive isolates in the second cohort. All isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium xiaoi except one which was identified as Cryptosporidium parvum. Our results confirm that goat kids are hosts for C. parvum and C. xiaoi and that infection by C. xiaoi may be associated with mild clinical signs.

Cryptosporidiosis in small ruminants

Cryptosporidiosis is an infection caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium which is responsible for a potentially severe disease in new-born ruminants. This infection is highly prevalent in small ruminants throughout the world, especially in pre-weaned animals. The clinical expression is different between goat kids and lambs, the infection being generally more severe in the former. Molecular data demonstrate geographical variations in the species of Cryptosporidium infecting small ruminants. They also support the possibility of transmission of zoonotic species from these hosts to humans. Studies are still needed on molecular epidemiology, especially in goats, and on ways to control infection.

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Isfahan, Iran

Cryptosporidium are commonly identified as intestinal pathogens in humans and animals. Fecal samples from 480 cattle randomly selected from 30 regions in Isfahan, Iran, were examined to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified by using sheather's concentration and the Ziehl-Neelsen modified staining technique in 30 of 480 cattle ranging from less than 6 mo of age to older than 1 yr of age. Infected animals were found in 86.6% (26/30) of regions investigated. Overall prevalence of infection was 6.25%, but higher in cattle less than 6 mo of age (10.8%) and this was statistically significant (P<0.05). Both sexes of cattle were infected with Cryptosporidium parasites, but prevalences were higher in diarrheic (56.7%) than in non-diarrheic (39%) cattle. Cryptosporidium appears to be prevalent in cattle in Isfahan.

Occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia duodenalis in healthy adult domestic ruminants

To determine the prevalence and intensity of infection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in healthy adult domestic ruminants, faecal samples were collected from 379 cattle of between 3 and 13 years old, 446 sheep and 116 goats selected at random from 60 dairy farms and 38 and 20 herds, respectively, in Galicia (NW Spain). Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 32 cows (8.4%), 24 sheep (5.3%) and in nine goats (7.7%) from, respectively, 48.3% of the farms and 34.2 and 30.0% of the herds. The intensity of infection in cows ranged between 25 and 5,924 oocysts per gram of faeces (OPG), whereas in sheep and goats, the number of oocysts shed ranged from 8-515 OPG and from 17-782 OPG, respectively. Parasitization by Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly higher (P<0.05) in cows than in sheep and goats. G. duodenalis cysts were identified in 101 cows (26.6%), 86 sheep (19.2%) and 23 goats (19.8%) from, respectively, 96.6% of the farms and 92.1 and 90% of the herds. The number of cysts shed by cows ranged between 15 and 3,042 cyst per gram of faeces (CPG), whereas the intensity of infection in sheep and goats ranged from 16-3010 CPG and from 15-1845 CPG, respectively, and was significantly lower (P<0.05) than in cows and sheep. The number of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts isolated from sheep and goats was insufficient for successful polymerase chain reaction analysis. Nevertheless, gene sequence analysis of the hsp70 and 18SrRNA genes of Cryptosporidium revealed the presence of only C. parvum in faecal samples from cows. Genotyping studies of the beta-giardin and glutamate dehydrogenase genes of G. duodenalis revealed mainly assemblage E of Giardia in cows, sheep and goat faecal samples. Assemblage B of G. duodenalis was also detected in one sheep sample. These animals should be considered as a possible source of cryptosporidiosis and giardiosis, thereby maintaining the infections on farms and in herds.

Giardia in shellfish-farming areas: Detection in mussels, river water and waste waters

Giardia cyst contamination of mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis), raw and treated waste waters and water from rivers that flow into four Galician estuaries (NW Spain), where bivalve molluscs are cultured for human consumption, was studied. The high prevalence of contamination in mussels (41.8%, n=184), raw waste water (90.9%, n=11), treated waste water (87.5%, n=16) and in samples of river water (85.7%, n=7), with cyst counts of 9.8-1800.0, 7.0-2541.0 and 1.0-29.3 cysts l(-1), respectively, illustrate the wide distribution of this enteropathogen in the environment and the potential risk to public health associated with the consumption of raw or undercooking bivalves and use of these estuaries for recreational purposes.