Objective Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent globally and sheep are an important zoonotic reservoir. Little data regarding the rates of Cryptosporidium infections in ovines in China are available. This study assessed ...Objective Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent globally and sheep are an important zoonotic reservoir. Little data regarding the rates of Cryptosporidium infections in ovines in China are available. This study assessed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned ovines from Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the Sichuan province of China. Methods A total of 213 fecal samples were collected from pre-weaned ovines and were examined microscopically （following modified acid fast staining）. In addition, 18S rRNA genetic sequences were amplified from fecal samples by nested PCR and phylogenetically analyzed. Results The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the collected samples was at 14.6% （31/213） and four isolates identified by PCR belonged to the Cryptosporidium cervine genotype （Cryptosporidium ubiquiturn） demonstrating that this species was the primary sheep species found in sheep in China. Conclusion The present study suggested that the high incidence of Cryptosporidium in sheep poses a significant public health threat and that surveillance practices must be established to prevent zoonotic disease of humans.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the Chinese Special Program for Scientific Research of Public Health (200802012)Chinese National Key Program for Infectious Diseases of China (2009ZX10004‐201, and 2008ZX10004‐002)
文摘Objective Cryptosporidium spp. are prevalent globally and sheep are an important zoonotic reservoir. Little data regarding the rates of Cryptosporidium infections in ovines in China are available. This study assessed the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pre-weaned ovines from Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture in the Sichuan province of China. Methods A total of 213 fecal samples were collected from pre-weaned ovines and were examined microscopically （following modified acid fast staining）. In addition, 18S rRNA genetic sequences were amplified from fecal samples by nested PCR and phylogenetically analyzed. Results The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in the collected samples was at 14.6% （31/213） and four isolates identified by PCR belonged to the Cryptosporidium cervine genotype （Cryptosporidium ubiquiturn） demonstrating that this species was the primary sheep species found in sheep in China. Conclusion The present study suggested that the high incidence of Cryptosporidium in sheep poses a significant public health threat and that surveillance practices must be established to prevent zoonotic disease of humans.
