Prevalence and molecular identification of Cryptosporidium isolates from pet lizards and snakes in Italy

Parasite

and S. Cacciò²  G. Cringoli³  R. Cirillo³  A.D. Mihalca¹  M. Capasso³  L. Rinaldi³ 

[1] Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine Cluj-Napoca,Calea Manastur 3-5,Cluj-Napoca 400372,Romania;Department of Infectious, Parasitic and Immunomediated Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità,viale Regina Elena 299,00161 Rome,Italy;Department of Animal Pathology and Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Naples Federico II,Via della Veterinaria 1,80137 Naples,Italy

关键词: Italy;    Python molurus;    snake;    lizard;    reptile;    Cryptosporidium;   

Others  :  808742
DOI  :  doi:10.1051/parasite/2012194437

 received in 2012-05-08, accepted in 2012-07-04,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

In order to acquire prevalence and genetic data on Cryptosporidium infections in captive lizards and snakes kept as pets, a survey was conducted on 150 individual reptiles from southern Italy. Fecal samples were preserved in 5% formalin and analyzed using a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFA) for the detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. IFA revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in nine of the 150 samples examined (6.0%), precisely in 6/125 snakes (4.8%) and in 3/25 lizards (12.0%); all fecal samples tested negative for the presence of Giardia cysts. Molecular characterization based on nested PCR amplification and sequencing of the SSU-rRNA gene, revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium serpentis in three samples from snakes (Boa constrictor constrictor, Elapheguttata guttata guttata and Python molurus).

【 授权许可】

   
© PRINCEPS Editions, Paris, 2012

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