Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 29, 2025
Production and Purification of Non Replicative Canine Adenovirus Type 2 Derived Vectors
Published on: December 3, 2013
Newly identified Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 from newborn calf diarrhoea in Turkey
Engin Berber1, Emrah Şimşek2, Nurettin Çanakoğlu1,3
1Department of Virology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Erciyes University, Kayseri, Turkey.
Abstract:
Cryptosporidium is a common enteric parasite that primarily affects those immunocompromised susceptible individuals and newborns. Detailed investigations have revealed that Cryptosporidium (C.) oocysts contain dsRNA segments which are recently classified under the Partitiviridae family. The relationship between parasite and virus whether or not affect the clinical outcomes of newborn calf diarrhoea is not apparent. The aim of this study was the identification and characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 (CSpV1) from newborn calves. We also aimed to understand that parasite-virus symbiont relationship role in the severity of disease cases. Parasitic screening was performed with the help of morphological examinations, immunoassay and molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods. To further identification of C. parvum oocysts, confocal laser, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image analysis were used for the morphological investigations. Software-based in silico comparison and identity analyses were conducted from the CSpV1 genome for the genomic sequence characterizations. Cryptosporidium prevalence was 56.2% in newborn calf diarrhoeal cases. Virus dsRNA segments isolated from purified and clarified oocysts. Sequence results showed that we have successfully isolated CSpV1 from C. parvum oocysts. Virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was found to be highly variable and showed a species-specific relationship with their carriers. We also identified that CSpV1 frequency was around 8.8% from diarrhoea-showing newborn calves. Cryptosporidium was strongly associated with diarrhoea at early ages of newborns, but the parasite and CSpV1 relationship is not associated with the severity of newborn calf diarrhoea. The current study provides the first report and molecular characterization of CSpV1 in Turkey.
Insights
This study identified and characterized Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 (CSpV1) in newborn calves with diarrhea. While Cryptosporidium is common, the CSpV1 virus did not correlate with disease severity in calves.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Parasitology
- Molecular Virology
- Animal Health
Background:
- Cryptosporidium is a significant enteric parasite affecting immunocompromised individuals and newborns, with its oocysts containing dsRNA segments.
- The symbiotic relationship between Cryptosporidium and associated viruses, and its impact on disease severity, particularly in newborn calves, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and molecularly characterize Cryptosporidium parvum virus-1 (CSpV1) in newborn calves.
- To investigate the role of the parasite-virus symbiont relationship in the severity of newborn calf diarrhea.
Main Methods:
- Parasite screening using morphological examination, immunoassay, and PCR.
- Oocyst identification via confocal laser, SEM, and TEM.
- In silico analysis of the CSpV1 genome for sequence characterization.
Main Results:
- Cryptosporidium prevalence was 56.2% in diarrheal cases among newborn calves.
- CSpV1 was successfully isolated from C. parvum oocysts, with a frequency of 8.8% in affected calves.
- The virus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) was highly variable and species-specific; CSpV1 presence did not correlate with diarrhea severity.
Conclusions:
- This study reports the first molecular characterization of CSpV1 in Turkey.
- Cryptosporidium is strongly linked to calf diarrhea, but the CSpV1 virus does not influence disease severity.
- Further research into the Cryptosporidium-virus symbiosis is warranted.
