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Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis subtypes in crab-eating macaques
Li Chen1, Suhui Hu2, Wen Jiang1
1State Key Laboratory of Bioreactor Engineering, School of Resource and Environmental, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
Background:
Non-human primates are often infected with human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium hominis subtypes, but rarely with Cryptosporidium parvum. In this study, 1452 fecal specimens were collected from farmed crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Hainan, China during the period April 2016 to January 2018. These specimens were analyzed for Cryptosporidium species and subtypes by using PCR and sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) genes, respectively.
Results:
Altogether, Cryptosporidium was detected using 18S rRNA-based PCR in 132 (9.1%) sampled animals, with significantly higher prevalence in females (12.5% or 75/599 versus 6.1% or 43/706), younger animals (10.7% or 118/1102 in monkeys 1-3-years-old versus 4.0% or 14/350 in those over 3-years-old) and animals with diarrhea (12.6% or 46/365 versus 7.9% or 86/1087). Four Cryptosporidium species were identified, namely C. hominis, C. parvum, Cryptosporidium muris and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum in 86, 30, 15 and 1 animal, respectively. The identified C. parvum, C. hominis and C. ubiquitum were further subtyped by using gp60 PCR. Among them, C. parvum belonged to subtypes in two known subtype families, namely IIoA14G1 (in 18 animals) and IIdA19G1 (in 2 animals). In contrast, C. hominis mostly belonged to two new subtype families Im and In, which are genetically related to Ia and Id, respectively. The C. hominis subtypes identified included ImA18 (in 38 animals), InA14 (in six animals), InA26 (in six animals), InA17 (in one animal) and IiA17 (in three animals). The C. ubiquitum isolates belonged to subtype family XIId. By subtype, ImA18 and IIoA14G1 were detected in animals with diarrhea whereas the remaining ones were mostly found in asymptomatic animals. Compared with C. parvum and C. muris, higher oocyst shedding intensity was observed in animals infected with C. hominis, especially those infected with the Im subtype family.
Conclusions:
Data from the study suggest that crab-eating macaques are infected with diverse C. parvum and C. hominis subtypes. The C. parvum IIo subtype family previously seen in rodents in China has apparently expanded its host range.
Insights
Crab-eating macaques in China are infected with diverse Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes. Notably, the C. parvum IIo subtype family has expanded its host range to include these macaques.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Infectious Diseases
- Primate Health
Background:
- Non-human primates commonly host human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium hominis but rarely C. parvum.
- Farmed crab-eating macaques (Macaca fascicularis) in Hainan, China, were studied for Cryptosporidium infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the species and subtypes of Cryptosporidium infecting farmed crab-eating macaques.
- To analyze the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in this primate population.
Main Methods:
- Fecal specimens from 1452 macaques were collected between April 2016 and January 2018.
- PCR and sequence analysis of the 18S rRNA and gp60 genes were used for species and subtype identification.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium was detected in 9.1% of macaques, with higher prevalence in females, younger animals, and those with diarrhea.
- Four species were identified: C. hominis (86 animals), C. parvum (30), C. muris (15), and C. ubiquitum (1).
- C. hominis predominantly belonged to new subtype families Im and In, while C. parvum subtypes IIoA14G1 and IIdA19G1 were identified. C. hominis showed higher oocyst shedding intensity.
Conclusions:
- Crab-eating macaques harbor diverse C. parvum and C. hominis subtypes.
- The C. parvum IIo subtype family, previously found in rodents, has expanded its host range to macaques in China.
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