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Genetic characterization of Cryptosporidium species from humans in Spain
María Teresa Llorente1, Antonio Clavel, María Pilar Goñi
1Department of Microbiology, Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Area of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zaragoza, C/Domingo Miral s/n, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.
Abstract:
Several species of Cryptosporidium have been associated with infection. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the main agents of cryptosporidiosis in humans. Stool samples from 108 Cryptosporidium-infected patients were submitted to PCR-RFLP analysis for a 553-bp fragment of Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene and an 826-864 bp fragment of the small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) gene. Ninety-two patients were immunocompetent children and 16 were HIV-infected adults. C. hominis was detected in 69 patients (59 immunocompetent and 10 HIV-infected); C. parvum, in 34 patients (28 immunocompetent and 6 HIV-infected); and C. meleagridis and C. felis in one patient each (both immunocompetent children). Three samples yielded negative results. C. parvum was significantly more frequent in children from rural areas than in those of urban residence (p=0.010). As far as we know, this is the first surveillance study about the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in humans performed in Spain. The finding of zoonotic species infecting humans calls for further research on this subject.
Insights
This study identified Cryptosporidium species in 108 patients in Spain using molecular methods. Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum were the most common, with C. parvum more frequent in rural children.
Area of Science:
- Medical Parasitology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Cryptosporidium species are significant causes of human cryptosporidiosis.
- Molecular techniques are crucial for accurate species identification and epidemiological studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct the first molecular surveillance of Cryptosporidium in humans in Spain.
- To identify Cryptosporidium species and genotypes in infected patients.
- To investigate the association between species and patient demographics/residence.
Main Methods:
- PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis of stool samples.
- Target genes included the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU-rRNA) genes.
- Analysis of samples from 108 immunocompetent children and HIV-infected adults.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium hominis (69/108) and Cryptosporidium parvum (34/108) were the predominant species.
- Cryptosporidium meleagridis and Cryptosporidium felis were identified in one case each.
- Cryptosporidium parvum showed a higher prevalence in children from rural areas (p=0.010).
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first molecular characterization of human Cryptosporidium infections in Spain.
- The prevalence of C. hominis and C. parvum highlights their importance as human pathogens.
- The detection of zoonotic species warrants further investigation into transmission routes and public health implications.
