Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium parvum in rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) in Nigeria

Rabbits are commonly reared by households and farmers in Nigeria as a source of meat, but there is no information available on Cryptosporidium genotypes occurring in rabbits in Nigeria. Fecal samples were collected from 107 rabbits and examined by modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique for the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts. An infection rate of 3.7% (4/107) was obtained and all microscopy-positive samples were genotyped and subtyped to determine the circulating Cryptosporidium species using sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA gene and 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene, respectively. All the four microscopy-positive samples were identified as C. parvum by 18S rRNA gene. However, analysis of the gp60 gene revealed the presence of C. parvum subtype IIc, which is commonly found in humans in two isolates. These findings indicate natural infection of rabbits with C. parvum and underscore the need to investigate the probable role of animal hosts in the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium infection. This is the first report on genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium infecting rabbits in Nigeria.

Host-adapted Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in straw-colored fruit bats in Nigeria.

Few data are available on the distribution and human infective potential of Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi genotypes in bats. In this preliminary study, we collected 109 fecal specimens during April-July 2011 from a colony of straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) in an urban park (Agodi Gardens) of Ibadan, Nigeria, and analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia duodenalis and E. bieneusi using PCR targeting the small subunit rRNA gene, triosephosphate isomerase gene, and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer, respectively. Genotypes of these enteric parasites were determined by DNA sequencing of the PCR products. Altogether, 6 (5.5%), 0 and 16 (14.7%) specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., G. duodenalis, and E. bieneusi, respectively. DNA sequence analysis of the PCR products indicated the presence of two novel Cryptosporidium genotypes named as bat genotype XIV (in 5 specimens) and bat genotype XV (in 1 specimen) and one known E. bieneusi genotype (Type IV in 1 specimen) and two novel E. bieneusi genotypes (Bat1 in 13 specimens and Bat2 in 2 specimens). In phylogenetic analysis of DNA sequences, the two novel Cryptosporidium genotypes were genetically related to Bat genotype II previously identified in fruit bats in China and Philippines, whereas the two novel E. bieneusi genotypes were genetically related to Group 5, which contains several known genotypes from primates. With the exception of Type IV, none of the Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi genotypes found in bats in this study are known human pathogens. Thus, straw-colored fruit bats in Nigeria are mainly infected with host-adapted Cryptosporidium and E. bieneusi genotypes.

Cryptosporidiosis in a fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi) and molecular identification of infecting species

Cryptosporidiosis is an infectious protozoan disease that affects a wide range of animals including reptiles. This is the first report of cryptosporidiosis in a fire skink (Lepidothyris fernandi), an insectivorous reptile commonly found in tropical West Africa. Faecal sample was collected from a fire skink at necropsy for the detection of parasites by faecal sedimentation method, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) acid-fast staining, Nested Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Nucleotide sequencing. Sections of the intestines were also processed for histopathology. Light microscopy revealed the presence of Ophidascarids sp. eggs and Cryptosporidium oocysts. Amplification of the 18S rRNA gene and nucleotide sequencing confirmed Cryptosporidium varanii as the infecting species. Histopathology revealed cellular infiltration and disruption of the epithelial cells along the brush border characteristic of intestinal inflammation.

Prevalence of potentially zoonotic gastrointestinal parasites in canine faeces in Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND: Humans can get infected through direct or indirect contact with infective stages of zoonotic parasites shed to the environment through dog faeces. OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to investigate the presence of gastrointestinal parasites present in dog faeces shed on the street of Ibadan metropolis, one of the largest cities in Africa. METHODS: Twenty-three locations were randomly selected using grid-sampling method. A total of 203 faecal samples collected from the streets of selected areas were processed for detection of helminth eggs and protozoan oocysts using flotation technique. Eggs/oocysts per gram of faeces was counted using modified McMaster technique. RESULTS: The prevalence of gastrointestinal parasites was 43.3% (88/203). Single and multiple infections were 69 (78.4%) and 19 (21.6%) respectively. The parasites detected were Ancylostoma sp. 24.6% (50/88) Isospora sp. 14.2% (29/88), Toxocara sp. 9.8% (20/88), Uncinaria sp. 2.5% (5/88) and Strongyloides sp, 3.9% (8/88). Ancylostoma sp. (320 × 102 epg) and Uncinaria sp. (5 × 102 epg) had the highest and least intensity respectively. Streets within residential areas having markets had the highest number of positive samples. All the genera of parasites detected in this study have zoonotic potential. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of zoonotic parasites detected in dog faeces from Ibadan metropolis showed that infected stray dogs roam the streets and constitute potential risk to human health. This study suggests the need for enforcement of laws restraining roaming or straying dogs and proper veterinary care of dogs. FUNDING: None declared.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in native calves in Nigeria.

Most studies on the distribution of Cryptosporidium species in cattle were done with dairy breeds in industrialized nations. In this study, 65 fecal samples from randomly selected 12-24-week-old diarrheic calves in four white Fulani herds in southwestern Nigeria were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. Thirty-four (52.3%) of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium. RFLP analysis of PCR products showed that 18 (27.7%) and five (7.7%) of the positive samples had Cryptosporidium bovis and Cryptosporidium ryanae, respectively, and 11 (16.9%) had mixed infections of the two species. The absence of C. parvum suggests that the age group of calves studied is not likely to be source of zoonotic infection to humans.