Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in giant panda

(Ailuropoda melanoleuca) in Sichuan province, China

Wang T, Chen Z, Xie Y, Hou R, Wu Q, Gu X, Lai W, Peng X, Yang G

Abatract

Background: Cryptosporidium spp.have been extensively reported to cause significant diarrheal disease in humans and domestic animals. On the contrary, little information is available on the prevalence and characterization ofCryptosporidiumin wild animals in China, especially in giant pandas. The aim of the present study was to detectCryptosporidiuminfections and identifyCryptosporidiumspecies at the molecular level in both captive and wild giant pandas in Sichuan province, China.

Findings: Using a PCR approach, we amplified and sequenced the 18S rRNA gene from 322 giant pandas fecal samples (122 from 122 captive individuals and 200 collected from four habitats) in Sichuan province, China. TheCryptosporidiumspecies/genotypes were identified via a BLAST comparison against publishedCryptosporidiumsequences available in GenBank followed by phylogenetic analysis. The results revealed that both captive and wild giant pandas were infected with a singleCryptosporidiumspecies,C. andersoni, at a prevalence of 15.6% (19/122) and 0.5% (1/200) in captive and wild giant pandas, respectively.

Conclusions: The present study revealed the existence ofC. andersoniin both captive and wild giant panda fecal samples for the first time, and also provided useful fundamental data for further research on the molecular epidemiology and control ofCryptosporidiuminfection in giant pandas.

Parasit Vectors. 2015 Jun 25;8:344. doi: 10.1186/s13071-015-0953-8.

Read full text: http://www.parasitesandvectors.com/content/8/1/344