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Title: MOLECULAR AND PHYTOGENETIC CHARACTERIZATION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM FROM BIRDS

Author
item MORGAN, UNA - MURDOCH UNIV.
item MONIS, PAUL - AUSTRALIAN WATER QUAL UN
item XIAO,, LIHUA - CDC
item LIMOR, JOSEF - CDC
item RADIAL, SHANE - MURDOCH UNIV
item O'DONOGHUE, PETER - AUSTRALIA
item GASSER, ROBYN - AUSTRALIA
item MURRAY, ALAN - MURDOCH UNIV
item Fayer, Ronald

Submitted to: International Journal for Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/19/2000
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Isolates of the protozoan parasite Cryptosporidium from chickens, turkeys, quail, finches, and a duck were examined at the molecular level. Two genes were examined. Comparison of the gene sequences with previously reported sequences confirmed the validity of parasite species infecting chickens and turkeys and revealed two new species, one in ducks and the other in finches. These findings indicate that although the parasites are indistinguishable at the microscopic level each species of parasite appears host specific with little likelihood of transmission from one species of bird to another.

Technical Abstract: Avian isolates of Cryptosporidium species isolates from different geographic locations were sequenced at 2 distinct loci, the 18S rDNA gene and the heat shock gene (HSP-70). Phylogenetic analysis of sequence data identified two new avian species of Cryptosporidium, Cryptosporidium xx infecting finches and Cryptosporidium yy infecting a black duck. The identity validity of C. baileyi and C. meleagridis as distinct avian valid species has also been was confirmed. In addition, C. baileyi was also identified in a number of quail isolates.