ABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite of humans and animals and has a worldwide distribution. The parasite has a unique epidemiology in Middle Eastern countries where the IId subtype family of Cryptosporidium parvum dominates. However, there has been no information on Cryptosporidium species in Yemen. Thus, this study was conducted in Yemen to examine the distribution of Cryptosporidium species and subtype families. Fecal samples were collected from 335 patients who attended hospitals in Sana'a city. Cryptosporidium species were determined by PCR and sequence analysis of the 18 s rRNA gene. Cryptosporidium parvum and C. hominis subtypes were identified based on sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Out of 335 samples, 33 (9.9%) were positive for Cryptosporidium. Of them, 97% were identified as C. parvum whilst 1 case (3%) was caused by C. hominis. All 7 C. parvum isolates subtyped belonged to the IIaA15G2R1 subtype. The common occurrence of the zoonotic IIa subtype family of C. parvum highlights the potential occurrence of zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis in Yemen. However, this postulation needs confirmation with future molecular epidemiological studies of cryptosporidiosis in both humans and animals in Yemen.
Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis/parasitology , Cryptosporidium/isolation & purification , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Base Sequence , Child , Child, Preschool , Cryptosporidiosis/epidemiology , Cryptosporidium/classification , Cryptosporidium/genetics , Cryptosporidium parvum/classification , Cryptosporidium parvum/genetics , Cryptosporidium parvum/isolation & purification , DNA, Protozoan/chemistry , DNA, Protozoan/genetics , Feces/parasitology , Female , Genotype , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Molecular Sequence Data , Prevalence , RNA, Protozoan/genetics , RNA, Ribosomal, 18S/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Yemen/epidemiology , Young Adult , ZoonosesABSTRACT
Subject(s)
Malaria/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Altitude , Child , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Humans , Malaria/etiology , Malaria/transmission , Male , Risk Factors , Socioeconomic Factors , Yemen/epidemiology , Young AdultABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian parasite that is prevalent worldwide, some species of which cause morbidity in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. The prevalence and predictors of Cryptosporidium infection, and its effect on nutritional status, have recently been explored among 276 children (141 boys and 135 girls, aged 2-15 years) in aboriginal (Orang Asli) villages in the Malaysian state of Selangor. Faecal smears were examined by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique while socio-economic data were collected using a standardized questionnaire. Nutritional status was assessed by anthropometric measurements. Cryptosporidium infection, which was detected in 7.2% of the aboriginal children, was found to be significantly associated with low birthweight (≤2.5 kg), being part of a large household (with more than seven members) and prolonged breast feeding (>2 years). The output of a binary logistic regression confirmed that large household size was a significant predictor of Cryptosporidium infection (giving an odds ratio of 2.15, with a 95% confidence interval of 1.25-5.02). Cryptosporidium infection is clearly a public-health problem among the aboriginal children of Selangor, with person-to-person the most likely mode of transmission.
Subject(s)
Cryptosporidiosis/ethnology , Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander/statistics & numerical data , Adolescent , Anthropometry/methods , Birth Weight , Child , Child Nutritional Physiological Phenomena/physiology , Child, Preschool , Cross-Sectional Studies , Cryptosporidiosis/etiology , Cryptosporidiosis/physiopathology , Family Characteristics , Female , Humans , Malaysia/epidemiology , Male , Nutritional Status , Risk Factors , Rural Health/statistics & numerical data , Social ClassABSTRACT
Cryptosporidium species are protozoan parasites that infect humans and a wide variety of animals. This study was aimed at identifying Cryptosporidium species and genotypes isolated from avian hosts. A total of 90 samples from 37 different species of birds were collected throughout a 3-month period from April 2008 to June 2008 in the National Zoo of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Prior to molecular characterization, all samples were screened for Cryptosporidium using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Subsequently samples were analysed with nested-PCR targeting the partial SSU rRNA gene. Amplicons were sequenced in both directions and used for phylogenetic analysis using Neighbour-Joining and Maximum Parsimony methods. Although 9 (10%) samples were positive for Cryptosporidium via microscopy, 8 (8.9%) produced amplicons using nested PCR. Phylogenetic trees identified all the isolates as Cryptosporidium parvum. Although C. parvum has not been reported to cause infection in birds, and the role of birds in this study was postulated mainly as mechanical transporters, these present findings highlight the significant public health risk posed by birds that harbour the zoonotic species of Cryptosporidium.
