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Intervening transcribed spacer region 1 variability in Cyclospora cayetanensis
R D Adam1, Y R Ortega, R H Gilman
1Department of Medicine and Microbiology/Immunology, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, Arizona, USA. adamr@u.arizona.edu
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|June 2, 2000
Summary
Cyclospora cayetanensis causes epidemic diarrhea. Researchers found variability in ITS1 DNA sequences, suggesting potential for molecular typing to track parasite outbreaks and sources.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Cyclospora cayetanensis is a significant cause of epidemic and endemic diarrhea.
- Outbreaks linked to contaminated water and food, including raspberries from Guatemala, highlight the need for epidemiological tools.
- Current molecular markers for bacterial diarrhea pathogens are lacking for C. cayetanensis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the variability of the Intervening Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region in Cyclospora cayetanensis.
- To assess the potential of ITS1 sequence variability for molecular typing and genetic differentiation of C. cayetanensis isolates.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of the ITS1 regions from various C. cayetanensis isolates.
- Isolates were sourced from raspberry-associated outbreaks, Guatemala, and Peru (pooled and individual).
Main Results:
- All five raspberry-associated isolates exhibited identical ITS1 sequences, indicating a single source.
- Isolates from Guatemala and Peru displayed multiple ITS1 sequences.
- This variability suggests potential for distinguishing C. cayetanensis genotypes.
Conclusions:
- The Intervening Transcribed Spacer 1 (ITS1) region shows significant variability in Cyclospora cayetanensis.
- ITS1 sequencing offers a promising molecular marker for differentiating C. cayetanensis isolates and tracing outbreak sources.
- Further research can leverage ITS1 variability for enhanced epidemiological surveillance of cyclosporiasis.