Prevalence and Genotypes of Cryptosporidium in Wildlife Populations Co-Located in a Protected Watershed in the Pacific Northwest, 2013 to 2016

Waterborne protozoan and microsporidian parasites in Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber)

The Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber) is an expanding species in Europe in recent decades due to reintroductions and natural population growth. Beavers expanded rapidly in the second half of the 20th century, and their expansion was particularly rapid in the Danube basin. Nowadays, the majority of the continuous population located in the central and eastern parts of the continent and a large disjunct population in Norway and Sweden. Despite the increasing population size, the role of the beaver as a source of waterborne pathogens is not firmly established or is often inferred from circumstantial data. In order to extend knowledge about the composition of the parasite fauna of beavers occurring in Slovakia, 21 faecal samples taken near their burrows from three sites (located in the Topľa, Poprad and Danube river basin) were examined microscopically and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). PCR-positive specimens were further examined by DNA sequencing. Parasites were detected in 21% of the examined beavers, specifically the protozoa Cryptosporidium spp. (n = 2), Blastocystis sp. (n = 1), and microsporidia Enterocytozoon bieneusi (n = 1) and Encephalitozoon spp. (n = 1). Using the sequence analysis, two variants of Cryptosporidium proliferans, a new subtype of Blastocystis sp., genotype D of E. bieneusi and Encephalitozoon intestinalis were identified. A putatively novel Blastocystis subtype (ST), originated from a site near the Danube river (southwestern Slovakia), was proposed based on high genetic divergence from the closest described subtype ST12 (11.9%) and unique phylogenetic position in a clade composed of ST's 35-38. The increased risk of zoonotic transmission or transmission to other animals was particularly evident in the site near the Topľa river (northeastern Slovakia), where fungal spores of zoonotic genotype D of E. bieneusi and E. intestinalis, together with oocysts of the potentially zoonotic C. proliferans, were found.

Molecular detection and characterization of Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp., and Blastocystis in captive wild animals rescued from central Colombia

Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and Blastocystis are significant causes of diarrhea worldwide. However, studies on their prevalence in wild animals are limited, compared to humans and domestic animals. In this study, we collected 23 stool samples from captive wild rescued animals in Boyacá, Colombia. Using conventional PCR, we detected Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., and Blastocystis in over half of the samples (69.6%). Cryptosporidium spp. (43.5%) were the most commonly found, followed by Giardia spp. (39.1%) and Blastocystis (13.0%). Co-infections involving these parasites were also observed. Subsequent genotyping revealed Cryptosporidium canis and Cryptosporidium ryanae as the predominant species. These findings contribute valuable information about the ecoepidemiology of intestinal parasites in Colombian wild animals.

Antiparasitic Effects of Sulfated Polysaccharides from Marine Hydrobionts

This review presents materials characterizing sulfated polysaccharides (SPS) of marine hydrobionts (algae and invertebrates) as potential means for the prevention and treatment of protozoa and helminthiasis. The authors have summarized the literature on the pathogenetic targets of protozoa on the host cells and on the antiparasitic potential of polysaccharides from red, brown and green algae as well as certain marine invertebrates. Information about the mechanisms of action of these unique compounds in diseases caused by protozoa has also been summarized. SPS is distinguished by high antiparasitic activity, good solubility and an almost complete absence of toxicity. In the long term, this allows for the consideration of these compounds as effective and attractive candidates on which to base drugs, biologically active food additives and functional food products with antiparasitic activity.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium skunk genotype in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Iran: concern for zoonotic transmission

Cryptosporidium spp. are significant zoonotic parasites in humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran. The fecal samples (n = 30) were collected from raccoons. After DNA extraction, all samples were examined by nested PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. From 30 raccoon samples, 4 (13.3%) were positive, and the isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium skunk genotype based on sequence analysis. The large distribution of raccoons in northern provinces of Iran and their potency for carrying some human-infecting parasites like Cryptosporidium spp. propose this mammalian as a source for zoonotic parasites.

Diverse Genotypes and Species of Cryptosporidium in Wild Rodent Species from the West Coast of the USA and Implications for Raw Produce Safety and Microbial Water Quality

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoan parasites that infect perhaps all vertebrate animals, with a subset of species and genotypes that function as food- and waterborne pathogens. The objective of this work was to collate the Cryptosporidium species and genotypes from common wild rodents on the west coast of the USA and update the information regarding the zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium from these ubiquitous wild species. Representative sequences of the 18S rRNA gene for a unique set of Cryptosporidium isolates obtained from deer mice, house mice, mountain beavers, yellow-bellied marmot, long-tailed vole, California ground squirrels, Belding’s ground squirrels, and a golden-mantled ground squirrel in GenBank were selected for phylogenetic analysis. Phylogenetic and BLAST analysis indicated that 4 (18%) of the 22 unique Cryptosporidium sequences from these wild rodent species were 99.75% to 100% identical to known zoonotic species (C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. xiaoi), suggesting that a minority of these representative Cryptosporidium isolates could have a public health impact through food and waterborne routes of human exposure. These zoonotic isolates were shed by deer mice and a yellow-bellied marmot from California, and from a mountain beaver trapped in Oregon. In addition, the group of unique Cryptosporidium isolates from deer mice and ground dwelling squirrels exhibited considerable DNA diversity, with multiple isolates appearing to be either host-limited or distributed throughout the various clades within the phylogenetic tree representing the various Cryptosporidium species from host mammals. These results indicate that only a subset of the unique Cryptosporidium genotypes and species obtained from wild rodents on the US west coast are of public health concern; nevertheless, given the geographic ubiquity of many of these host species and often high density at critical locations like municipal watersheds or produce production fields, prudent pest control practices are warranted to minimize the risks of water- and foodborne transmission to humans.