Genetic Diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. in Captive Reptiles.

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2004 Feb;70(2):891-899.

Xiao L, Ryan UM, Graczyk TK, Limor J, Li L, Kombert M, Junge R, Sulaiman IM, Zhou L, Arrowood

MJ, Koudela B, Modry D, Lal AA.



Division of Parasitic Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia

30341. State Agricultural Biotechnology Centre, Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences,

Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Department of Molecular

Microbiology and Immunology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University,

Baltimore, Maryland 21205. Saint Louis Zoo, St. Louis, Missouri 63110. Department of

Parasitology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences Brno, Brno, Czech Republic.



The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium in reptiles was analyzed by PCR-restriction fragment

length polymorphism and sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. A total of 123 samples

were analyzed, of which 48 snake samples, 24 lizard samples, and 3 tortoise samples were

positive for CRYPTOSPORIDIUM: Nine different types of Cryptosporidium were found, including

Cryptosporidium serpentis, Cryptosporidium desert monitor genotype, Cryptosporidium muris,

Cryptosporidium parvum bovine and mouse genotypes, one C. serpentis-like parasite in a lizard,

two new Cryptosporidium spp. in snakes, and one new Cryptosporidium sp. in tortoises. C.

serpentis and the desert monitor genotype were the most common parasites and were found in both

snakes and lizards, whereas the C. muris and C. parvum parasites detected were probably the

result of ingestion of infected rodents. Sequence and biologic characterizations indicated that

the desert monitor genotype was Cryptosporidium saurophilu!

m. Two host-adapted C. serpentis genotypes were found in snakes and lizards.
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