ARS | Publication request: Molecular characterization of cryptosporidium in brazilian sheep

Submitted to: Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: November 5, 2010
Publication Date: February 10, 2011
Repository URL: http://hdl.handle.net/10113/48734
Citation: Da Silva Fiuza, V., Juliboni Cosendey, R., Frazao-Teixeira, E., Santin, M., Fayer, R., Rodrigues De Olivira. 2011. Molecular characterization of cryptosporidium in brazilian sheep. Veterinary Parasitology. 175:360-362.

Interpretive Summary: A study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in sheep on ten farms in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Fecal samples were collected from 90 lambs 2 to 6 months of age, and 35 were from sheep over 12 months of age . All samples were subjected to molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction in two steps (nested PCR) of the SSU rRNA. Two samples (1.6%) from the lambs were positive, and after sequencing were identified as Cryptosporidium ubiquitum. This species has been reported worldwide and it is considered a zoonotic pathogen since it has been found and in several animal species and humans.

Technical Abstract: Feces were collected from 125 sheep between January and December 2007, on ten farms in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium. Ninety samples were collected from lambs 2 to 6 months of age, and 35 were from sheep over 12 months of age. All samples were subjected to molecular analysis by polymerase chain reaction in two steps (nested PCR) of the SSU rRNA. Two samples (1.6%) from the lambs were positive, and after sequencing were identified as Cryptosporidium ubiquitum. This species has been reported worldwide and it is considered a zoonotic pathogen since it has been found and in several animal species and humans.