Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium xiaoi in goat kids in Bangladesh by nested PCR amplification of 18S rRNA gene

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in goat kids in selected areas of Bangladesh and to elucidate the potential zoonotic hazards. Methods: In the present study, we have used Ziehl-Neelsen staining and nested PCR approach to identify and characterize the Cryptosporidium sp. from diarrhoeic feces of goat kids. A total of 100 diarrhoeic feces samples were collected from Chittagong region in Southern Bangladesh. For nested PCR analysis, specific primers for amplification of 581 base pair fragments of 18S rRNA gene were used. Results: A total of 15% and 3% samples were found positive in microscopic study and in nested PCR analysis respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data showed similarity with that of Cryptosporidium xiaoi recorded from sheep and goat. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of Cryptosporidium xiaoi responsible for diarrhoea in goat kids in Bangladesh. Further study can highlight their zoonotic significance along with genetic diversity in other host species inside the country.

Proteome analysis of Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis using two-dimentional electrophoresis, image analysis and tandem mass spectrometry

Until recently, Cryptosporidium was thought to be a single species genus. Molecular studies now show that there are at least 10 valid species of this parasite. Among them, two morphologically identical species, C. hominis and C. parvum are the most pathogenic identified to date and share 97% of identical genomes. Post-genomic analyses is therefore necessary to explore further the genetic variations among them. During this study, a comparative proteomic approach was applied to analyze the differential expression of sporozoite proteins in both C. hominis and C. parvum. Using 2-DE gels with different pH ranges [3-10 and 4-7] and automated three dimensional [3D] image analyses, a total of 20 protein spots were shown to be differentially expressed between the two species. Mass spectrometry analyses of these spots identified one hypothetical protein, however, identification of the remaining spots was unsuccessful. Further characterization of this hypothetical protein along with all differentially expressed proteins could provide crucial information in understanding the differential biology of Cryptosporidium spp