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Subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in humans and disease risk

Paul R Hunter1, Stephen J Hadfield, Dawn Wilkinson

  • 1University of East Anglia, Norwich, United Kingdom.

Emerging Infectious Diseases
|March 21, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cryptosporidium parvum strains from human cases were subtyped using microsatellite analysis. Farm animal contact was strongly associated with a specific Cryptosporidium parvum subtype (ML1-242), aiding in understanding cryptosporidiosis epidemiology.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of diarrheal disease globally.
  • The main species infecting humans are Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum.
  • Understanding strain diversity is crucial for effective public health interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To subtype Cryptosporidium strains from sporadic human cryptosporidiosis cases in Wales and northwest England.
  • To investigate the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum.
  • To explore associations between parasite genotypes and epidemiological data, particularly animal contact.

Main Methods:

  • Multilocus fragment analysis was performed on three microsatellite loci (ML1, ML2, and gp60).
  • Strains were isolated from sporadic cases of cryptosporidiosis.
  • Epidemiological data, including animal contact, were collected and analyzed alongside genetic typing.

Main Results:

  • Thirty-one subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum were identified among 63 typeable strains, forming three main clusters.
  • Nine subtypes of Cryptosporidium hominis were identified, with 90% belonging to a single subtype.
  • A strong association was found between Cryptosporidium parvum strains from patients reporting farm animal contact and a specific microsatellite allele (ML1-242).

Conclusions:

  • Microsatellite typing is a valuable tool for differentiating Cryptosporidium parvum strains.
  • The findings highlight a specific Cryptosporidium parvum subtype linked to farm animal exposure.
  • This molecular subtyping provides crucial insights into the transmission dynamics and epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis.

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