Geographical variation in 18S rRNA gene sequence of Cryptosporidium parvum

Using 18S rRNA as a probe, an EcoR1 fragment containing 1507 nt of 18S rRNA from C. parvum was identified, cloned and sequenced. Comparison of this sequence with the partial sequence of the small subunit rRNA of Cryptosporidium published by Johnson, Fielke, Lumb & Baverstock (International Journal for Parasitology 20: 141-147, 1990) and 1516 bp of the 18S rRNA nucleotide sequence of C. parvum published by Cai, Collins, McDonald & Thompson (Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1131: 317-320, 1992) revealed 97% and 91.6% sequence homology, respectively. These data suggest that differences exist among the same species of Cryptosporidium from different geographical areas.