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Evidence supporting zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium spp. in Wisconsin

Dawn C Feltus1, Catherine W Giddings, Brianna L Schneck

  • 1Department of Veterinary and Microbiological Sciences, North Dakota State University, 1523 Centennial Boulevard, Fargo, ND 58105, USA.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|September 29, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Most sporadic cryptosporidiosis cases in Wisconsin are caused by the zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum, not the human-specific Cryptosporidium hominis. This suggests zoonotic transmission plays a larger role in sporadic infections than previously thought.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum are the main species causing human cryptosporidiosis.
  • C. hominis transmission is anthroponotic, while C. parvum is zoonotic, commonly from cattle.
  • While C. hominis causes most US outbreaks, data on sporadic cases are limited.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify Cryptosporidium species, genotypes, and subgenotypes in sporadic cryptosporidiosis cases in Wisconsin.
  • To determine the transmission patterns associated with sporadic cryptosporidiosis.

Main Methods:

  • PCR restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of 18S rRNA and Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein genes.
  • Subtyping of C. parvum and C. hominis isolates using GP60 gene sequence analysis.
  • Analysis of 49 sporadic cryptosporidiosis cases from Wisconsin (2003-2005).

Main Results:

  • Forty-four of 49 isolates (89.8%) were identified as C. parvum; one was C. hominis.
  • Other genotypes identified included cervine and a novel human genotype (W17).
  • Nine C. parvum subgenotypes were found, with two accounting for 60% of cases.

Conclusions:

  • Zoonotic Cryptosporidium species, particularly C. parvum, are the primary cause of sporadic cryptosporidiosis in Wisconsin.
  • Zoonotic transmission may be more significant in sporadic cryptosporidiosis cases in the US than previously recognized.

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