AUTHOR=Mi Rongsheng , Silayi Amanguli , Wang Yongsheng , Xia Chenyang , Tang Wenqiang , Gong Haiyan , Huang Yan , Zhang Yan , Yan Genqiang , Chen Zhaoguo 

TITLE=Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) from Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Veterinary Science

VOLUME=11

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/veterinary-science/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1411377

DOI=10.3389/fvets.2024.1411377

ISSN=2297-1769

ABSTRACT=<sec><title>Introduction</title><p><italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> spp. is a significant zoonotic parasite. The prevalence and infection characteristics of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> spp. in Bactrian camels in Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture have yet to be fully understood. Thus, the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in camels was investigated in this region.</p></sec><sec><title>Methods</title><p>A total of 1,455 fecal samples were collected from 6 counties in three regions (Altay, Tacheng, and Yili) in Yili Prefecture. Nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (<italic>ssu</italic> rRNA) gene was used to identify the species or genotypes of <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> infection in camels. For <italic>C. parvum</italic> positive samples, the subtypes were identified using the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene.</p></sec><sec><title>Results and discussion</title><p>The overall infection rate was 8.7% (126/1,455), ranging from 5.6% to 11.7% in different regions, and 4.2% to 15.8% in different counties. A significant difference was observed amongst the counties (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Three species were detected, namely <italic>C. andersoni</italic> (65.1%, 82/126), <italic>C. parvum</italic> (34.1%, 43/126), and <italic>C. occultus</italic> (0.8%, 1/126). Three <italic>C. parvum</italic> subtypes, If-like-A15G2 (<italic>n</italic> = 29), IIdA15G1 (<italic>n</italic> = 4), and IIdA19G1(<italic>n</italic> = 1) were detected, with If-like-A15G2 being the most prevalent subtype. Camels aged 3-12 months exhibited the highest infection rate (11.4%, 44/387), with no significant difference among age groups (<italic>p</italic> &gt; 0.05). <italic>C. parvum</italic> was predominant in camels under 3 months, while <italic>C. andersoni</italic> prevailed in camels over 3 months. There was an extremely significant difference observed among seasons (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), summer had the highest infection rates (16.9%, 61/360). This study collected nearly 1,500 samples and, for the first time, investigated <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic> spp. infection in camels based on different age groups and seasons. All three <italic>Cryptosporidium</italic>species identified were zoonotic, posing a potential threat to human health and requiring close attention.</p></sec>