Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from humans in Equatorial Guinea

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2009 Dec;103(12):1282-4. doi: 10.1016/j.trstmh.2009.02.016. Epub 2009 Apr 10.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to perform a molecular characterization of clinical isolates of Cryptosporidium species from Equatorial Guinea. Standard laboratory methods were used to identify 35 cryptosporidiosis cases among 185 patients. PCR-RFLP successfully identified 34 Cryptosporidium species from these 35 cases, comprising C. parvum (52.9%), C. hominis (44.1%) and C. meleagridis (2.9%); over 90% of the species were isolated from HIV-positive patients. This is the first report of the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species isolated from humans in Equatorial Guinea and shows that zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission is present in this country.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / transmission
  • Cryptosporidium / genetics*
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
  • DNA, Protozoan / isolation & purification*
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • HIV Infections / parasitology*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan