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. 2024 Jun 10:11:1411377.
doi: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1411377. eCollection 2024.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) from Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China

Rongsheng Mi #  1   2 , Amanguli Silayi #  3 , Yongsheng Wang  3 , Chenyang Xia  4 , Wenqiang Tang  4 , Haiyan Gong  2 , Yan Huang  2 , Yan Zhang  2 , Genqiang Yan  1 , Zhaoguo Chen  2
Affiliations

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels (Camelus bactrianus) from Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture of Xinjiang, China

Rongsheng Mi et al. Front Vet Sci. .

Abstract

Introduction: Cryptosporidium spp. is a significant zoonotic parasite. The prevalence and infection characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp. in Bactrian camels in Yili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture have yet to be fully understood. Thus, the molecular epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in camels was investigated in this region.

Methods: A total of 1,455 fecal samples were collected from 6 counties in three regions (Altay, Tacheng, and Yili) in Yili Prefecture. Nested PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (ssu rRNA) gene was used to identify the species or genotypes of Cryptosporidium infection in camels. For C. parvum positive samples, the subtypes were identified using the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene.

Results and discussion: The overall infection rate was 8.7% (126/1,455), ranging from 5.6% to 11.7% in different regions, and 4.2% to 15.8% in different counties. A significant difference was observed amongst the counties (p < 0.001). Three species were detected, namely C. andersoni (65.1%, 82/126), C. parvum (34.1%, 43/126), and C. occultus (0.8%, 1/126). Three C. parvum subtypes, If-like-A15G2 (n = 29), IIdA15G1 (n = 4), and IIdA19G1(n = 1) were detected, with If-like-A15G2 being the most prevalent subtype. Camels aged 3-12 months exhibited the highest infection rate (11.4%, 44/387), with no significant difference among age groups (p > 0.05). C. parvum was predominant in camels under 3 months, while C. andersoni prevailed in camels over 3 months. There was an extremely significant difference observed among seasons (p < 0.001), summer had the highest infection rates (16.9%, 61/360). This study collected nearly 1,500 samples and, for the first time, investigated Cryptosporidium spp. infection in camels based on different age groups and seasons. All three Cryptosporidiumspecies identified were zoonotic, posing a potential threat to human health and requiring close attention.

Keywords: Bactrian camel; Cryptosporidium spp.; Xinjiang; Yili Prefecture; molecular epidemiology.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Phylogenetic tree of Cryptosporidium spp. Constructed based on ssu rRNA nucleotide sequence in camels. ▲: Partial sequences obtained in the present study.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Map of sample collection sites for camels in Yili Prefecture. ● Samples collected sites. The data for the underlying map were downloaded from the Database of Global Administrative Areas (GADM) website (https://gadm.org/maps/CHN/xinjianguygur_2.html) and revised with PowerPoint (Microsoft Office 2021).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Phylogenetic tree of Cryptosporidium spp. Constructed based on gp60 nucleotide sequence in camels. ▲: Partial sequences obtained in the present study.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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