Prevalence and molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs in Henan, China

Parasitol Res. 2010 Nov;107(6):1489-94. doi: 10.1007/s00436-010-2024-6. Epub 2010 Aug 10.

Abstract

The distribution and public health significance of Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in pigs differ among geographic areas and studies. To characterize the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in pigs in Henan, China, a total of 1,350 fecal samples from 14 farms in ten prefectures in Henan Province were examined. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 8.2% (111/1,350), with the highest infection rate (79/383 or 20.6%) in 1-2-month-old piglets and the lowest infection rates in 3-6-month-old pigs. Cryptosporidium-positive samples from 108 animals were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene, and 35 were further analyzed by DNA sequencing of the PCR products. Two Cryptosporidium species/genotype were identified, including Cryptosporidium suis (94/108) and the Cryptosporidium pig genotype II (14/108). C. suis infection was more common in younger piglets whereas the pig genotype II was relatively common in older pigs. These findings suggest that pigs are not a major source of zoonotic Cryptosporidium in the study area.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • China / epidemiology
  • Cluster Analysis
  • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
  • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary*
  • Cryptosporidium / classification
  • Cryptosporidium / genetics
  • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification*
  • DNA Fingerprinting
  • DNA, Protozoan / chemistry
  • DNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • DNA, Ribosomal / chemistry
  • DNA, Ribosomal / genetics
  • Feces / parasitology
  • Genes, rRNA
  • Genotype
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Phylogeny
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Prevalence
  • RNA, Protozoan / genetics
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / genetics
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • Swine
  • Swine Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Swine Diseases / parasitology*

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • DNA, Ribosomal
  • RNA, Protozoan
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 18S

Associated data

  • GENBANK/GQ227704
  • GENBANK/GQ227705
  • GENBANK/GU254165
  • GENBANK/GU254166
  • GENBANK/GU254167
  • GENBANK/GU254168
  • GENBANK/GU254169
  • GENBANK/GU254170
  • GENBANK/GU254171
  • GENBANK/GU254172
  • GENBANK/GU254173
  • GENBANK/GU254174
  • GENBANK/GU254175
  • GENBANK/GU254176
  • GENBANK/GU254177