Is Cryptosporidium from the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) a new species and distinct from Cryptosporidium ubiquitum?

Abstract

The emerging zoonotic pathogen Cryptosporidium ubiquitum has been found in a variety of mammalian hosts, including humans, throughout the world. Advances in the molecular characterization of this parasite using the sequence of the 60kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene have allowed the classification of "subtypes". Sequences derived from faecal samples from the common wombat (Vombatus ursinus) have identified a novel gp60 subtype designated here as C. ubiquitum XIIg. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that subtypes of C. ubiquitum can be divided into generalist and specialist groups, which is important when considering the zoonotic potential of C. ubiquitum in the context of drinking water safety.

Keywords: 60kD glycoprotein (gp60) gene; Common wombat; Cryptosporidium ubiquitum; Phylogeny; Vombatus ursinus; ribosomal RNA small subunit (SSU) gene.