Issue |
Parasite
Volume 26, 2019
|
|
---|---|---|
Article Number | 28 | |
Number of page(s) | 5 | |
DOI | https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2019029 | |
Published online | 13 May 2019 |
Short Note
First detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in red-bellied tree squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus) in China
Première détection de Cryptosporidium spp. chez des écureuils à ventre rouge (Callosciurus erythraeus) en Chine
The Key Laboratory of Animal Disease and Human Health of Sichuan Province, College of Veterinary Medicine, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, Sichuan, 611130, PR China
* Corresponding author: 976502406@qq.com
Received:
21
January
2019
Accepted:
22
April
2019
Cryptosporidium spp. are opportunistic pathogens that cause diarrhea in a variety of animal hosts. Although they have been reported in many animals, no information has been published on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in red-bellied tree squirrels (Callosciurus erythraeus). A total of 287 fecal specimens were collected from Sichuan province in China; the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp., measured by nested-PCR amplification of the partial small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene, was 1.4% (4/287). Three different Cryptosporidium species or genotypes were identified: Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 1), Cryptosporidium wrairi (n = 1), and Cryptosporidium rat genotype II (n = 2). The present study is the first report of Cryptosporidium infection in red-bellied tree squirrels in China. Although there is a relatively low occurrence of Cryptosporidium, the presence of C. parvum and C. wrairi, which were previously reported in humans, indicates that red-bellied tree squirrels may be a source of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in China.
Résumé
Les Cryptosporidium spp. sont des agents pathogènes opportunistes qui provoquent une diarrhée chez divers animaux hôtes. Bien qu’ils aient été signalés chez de nombreux animaux, aucune information n’a été publiée sur la présence de Cryptosporidium spp. chez les écureuils à ventre rouge (Callosciurus erythraeus). Au total, 287 spécimens fécaux ont été recueillis dans la province du Sichuan en Chine. La prévalence de Cryptosporidium spp., mesurée par amplification par PCR imbriquée du gène partiel de la petite sous-unité de l’ARNr (SSU), était de 1,4 % (4/287). Trois espèces ou génotypes différents de Cryptosporidium ont été identifiés : Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 1), Cryptosporidium wrairi (n = 1) et le génotype II de Cryptosporidium du rat (n = 2). La présente étude est le premier signalement d’infection à Cryptosporidium chez des écureuils à ventre rouge en Chine. Cryptosporidium est relativement peu présent, mais la présence de C. parvum et de C. wrairi, déjà signalés chez l’homme, indique que les écureuils à ventre rouge peuvent être une source de cryptosporidiose zoonotique en Chine.
Key words: Cryptosporidium / Zoonosis / Red-bellied tree squirrel / Callosciurus erythraeus / SSU rRNA
© P. Junquera et al., published by EDP Sciences, 2019
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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