Multilocus genetic analysis of cryptosporidium isolates from Saudi Arabia

ABSTRACT

A total of 35 Cryptosporidium positive samples were collected from children in Jeddah city. The samples were microscopically examined with Ziehl Neelsen [ZN] and Auramin phenol [AP] staining methods. Cryptosporidium antigen was detected in the faecal samples by using the Cryptosporidium ELISA kit. Cryptosporidium sp. were identified by targeting an 840 bp of the hyper-variable region of the 18S rRNA gene and about 550 of the first domain [N terminal] of the COWP gene. The subgenotypic identification of C. parvum and C. hominis isolates was done by targeting the sporozoite antigen gp 15/45 760 gene. Four sp. were identified; C. hominis 13/35 [37%], C. parvum 15/35 [42.9%], C. meleagridis 1/35[2.9%] and C. muris 1/35 [2.9%]. One isolate was a mixed infection of C. parvum and C. hominis