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Title: Cryptosporidium parvum pig genotype II diagnosed in pigs from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Author
item FIUZA, VAGNER - Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense
item GALLO, S. - Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense
item FRAZAO-TEIXEIRA, E. - Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense
item Santin-Duran, Monica
item Fayer, Ronald
item OLIVEIRA, F. - Universidade Estadual Do Norte Fluminense

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/10/2010
Publication Date: 2/5/2011
Citation: Fiuza, V., Gallo, S., Frazao-Teixeira, E., Santin, M., Fayer, R., Oliveira, F. 2011. Cryptosporidium parvum pig genotype II diagnosed in pigs from the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Journal of Parasitology. 97(1):146-147.

Interpretive Summary: Cryptosporidiosis is an important diarrheal disease in humans and animals worldwide. Pigs may represent a source of Cryptosporidium sp. infection to humans. In the present study molecular tools were used to test for the presence of Cryptosporidium in pigs from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and to verify what risks pigs represent in transmission of human cryptosporidiosis. Ninety-one samples of pig feces were collected from 10 piggeries in 2 municipalities located in the north and northwest regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Two pigs (2.2%) were Cryptosporidium sp. positive, and were identified as pig genotype type II (PGII). This genotype has been previously observed mainly in pigs however it has also been identified in humans and cattle indicating the possibility of zoonotic transmission.

Technical Abstract: Pigs may represent a source of Cryptosporidium sp. infection to humans. The objective of this study was to identify the species present in pigs from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and verify what risks pigs represent in transmission of human cryptosporidiosis, since there is no such information to date in Brazil. Ninety-one samples of pig feces were collected from 10 piggeries in 2 municipalities located in the north and northwest regions of the State of Rio de Janeiro. A nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol to amplify an 830 bp fragment of the small subunit rDNA (SSU rRNA) gene was followed by sequencing of all positive PCR samples. Two samples (2.2%) were Cryptosporidium sp. positive, and were identified as pig genotype type II (PGII). This genotype has been observed in an immunocompetent person, in cattle without pigs nearby, and from a potential human source. Its potential for zoonotic transmission is little known and should be rigorously studied.