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Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium molnari reveals a distinct piscine clade

Oswaldo Palenzuela1, Pilar Alvarez-Pellitero, Ariadna Sitjà-Bobadilla

  • 1Instituto de Acuicultura de Torre de la Sal, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), 12595 Ribera de Cabanes, Castellón, Spain. oswaldo@iats.csic.es

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
|September 28, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium molnari suggests it is closely related to guppy isolates, though they may be distinct species. Further research on fish genotypes is needed to confirm the genus Piscicryptosporidium.

Area of Science:

  • Parasitology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Aquatic Animal Health

Background:

  • Cryptosporidium is an important protozoan parasite.
  • Piscine (fish) Cryptosporidium genotypes are poorly understood.
  • Cryptosporidium molnari is a species found in fish.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the phylogenetic position of Cryptosporidium molnari.
  • To investigate the evolutionary relationships among piscine Cryptosporidium genotypes.
  • To assess the validity of the genus Piscicryptosporidium.

Main Methods:

  • Multilocus phylogenetic analysis.
  • Sequencing of small-subunit (SSU) rRNA genes.
  • Sequencing of actin genes.

Main Results:

  • Cryptosporidium molnari clustered with a Cryptosporidium molnari-like genotype from guppy.
  • The two fish isolates appear to represent distinct species.
  • Analysis provides some support for the cladistic congruence of Piscicryptosporidium.

Conclusions:

  • Cryptosporidium molnari is phylogenetically related to guppy isolates.
  • Further piscine Cryptosporidium genotypes are required for robust phylogenetic conclusions.
  • The genus Piscicryptosporidium may be evolutionarily congruent.

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