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Developmental stages (arrowheads) of Cryptosporidium alticolis sp. n. in mucosal glandular epithelium from the duodenum of an experimentally infected common vole (Microtus arvalis). Bar included in each picture.
Source publication
Fecal samples from wild-caught common voles ( n = 328) from 16 locations in the Czech Republic were screened for Cryptosporidium by microscopy and PCR/sequencing at loci coding small-subunit rRNA, Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein, actin and 70 kDa heat shock protein. Cryptosporidium infections were detected in 74 voles (22.6%). Rates of infectio...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... of C. alticolis sp. n. was detected throughout the small and large intestine of common and meadow voles; however, endogenous developmental stages were detected only in the jejunum and ileum by histology and electron microscopy (Figs 4 and 5). Cryptosporidium alticolis sp. ...
Citations
... Rodents are among the most important reservoirs of Cryptosporidium spp., with 28 known Cryptosporidium species and 41 genotypes being identified in rodents [6,7,8,9]. Among them, 20 zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and genotypes have been reported in rodents, with C. parvum, C. hominis, C. viatorum and C. ubiquitum as the major ones [9,10]. Within nine valid Giardia species, G. microti, G. cricetidarum, G. muris and G. duodenalis are commonly found in rodents, and G. duodenalis is the only zoonotic species infecting humans and most vertebrates [3]. ...
Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are common zoonotic pathogens in humans and animals. Although rodents are important parts of the ecosystem and common hosts for these pathogens, little is known of the distribution, genetic diversity and zoonotic potential of these pathogens in wild rodents. A total of 442 fecal samples were collected from eleven wild rodent species in three provinces of China, and analyzed for these pathogens by PCR and DNA sequencing. The infection rates of Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and E. bieneusi were 19.9% (88/442), 19.8% (75/378) and 12.2% (54/442), respectively. Altogether, 23 known Cryptosporidium species/genotypes were identified and their distribution varied among different sampling locations or rodent species. Subtyping of the zoonotic Cryptosporidium species identified two novel subtype families XVe and XVf in C. viatorum, the subtype family XIIh and a novel subtype family XIIj in C. ubiquitum, and the subtype family IId in C. parvum. Three Giardia species were identified, including G. microti (n = 57), G. muris (n = 15) and G. duodenalis (n = 3), with G. duodenalis assemblages A and G identified in brown rats in urban areas of Guangdong. In addition, 13 E. bieneusi genotypes including eight known and five novel ones were identified, belonging to Groups 1, 2, 10, 14 and 15. Within nine genotypes in the zoonotic Group 1, common human-pathogenic genotypes D, Type IV, PigEbITS7 and Peru8 were detected only in brown rats and Lesser rice-field rats in urban areas of Guangdong. Apparent host adaptation and geographical differences were observed among Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp. and E. bieneusi genotypes in wild rodents in the present study. Furthermore, the zoonotic Cryptosporidium species and E. bieneusi genotypes commonly found here suggest a high zoonotic potential of these pathogens in wild rodents, especially in brown rats in urban areas. Hygiene and One Health measures should be implemented in urban streets and food stores to reduce the possible direct and indirect transmission of these rodent-related pathogens.
... In this regard, although the Iberian lynx diet is mainly based on European rabbit, they can sporadically consume birds, wild ungulates, and also small mammals [67]. Rodent-adapted Cryptosporidium alticolis and C. occultus were initially described in common voles and rats [68,69], whereas leporids, including rabbits and hares, are the preferred host species for C. cuniculus [70]. Interestingly, C. alticolis has been previously reported in two red foxes in Poland [17]. ...
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are the main non-viral causes of diarrhoea in humans and domestic animals globally. Comparatively, much less information is currently available in free-ranging carnivore species in general and in the endangered Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) inparticular. Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were investigated with molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods in individual faecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes
from the main population nuclei in Spain. Overall, Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were detected in 2.4% (6/251) and 27.9% (70/251) of the animals examined, respectively. Positive animals to at least one of them were detected in each of the analysed population nuclei. The analysis of partial ssu rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of rodent-adapted C. alticolis (n = 1) and C. occultus (n = 1), leporid-adapted C. cuniculus (n = 2), and zoonotic C. parvum (n = 2) within Cryptosporidium, and zoonotic assemblages A (n = 5) and B (n = 3) within G. duodenalis. Subgenotyping analyses allowed for the identification of genotype VaA19 in C. cuniculus (gp60 locus) and sub-assemblages AI and BIII/BIV in G. duodenalis (gdh, bg, and tpi loci). This study represents the first molecular description of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in the Iberian lynx in Spain. The presence of rodent/leporidadapted Cryptosporidium species in the surveyed animals suggests spurious infections associated to the Iberian lynx’s diet. The Iberian lynx seems a suitable host for zoonotic genetic variants of Cryptosporidium (C. parvum) and G. duodenalis (assemblages A and B), although the potential risk of
human transmission is regarded as limited due to light parasite burdens and suspected low excretion of infective (oo)cysts to the environment by infected animals. More research should be conducted to ascertain the true impact of these protozoan parasites in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx.
... The intensity of C. mortiferum infection also varied depending on the species and immune status of the host. Similar differences were observed in other Cryptosporidium species, e.g. C. alticolis and C. microti infecting various species of voles, C. apodemi and C. ditrichi parasitizing Apodemus spp., C. proliferans infecting various rodents or C. ornithophilus infecting geese, cockatiels and chickens [6,7,48,49]. ...
Background
Cryptosporidium spp. are globally distributed parasites that infect epithelial cells in the microvillus border of the gastrointestinal tract of all classes of vertebrates. Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I is a common parasite in North American tree squirrels. It was introduced into Europe with eastern gray squirrels and poses an infection risk to native European squirrel species, for which infection is fatal. In this study, the biology and genetic variability of different isolates of chipmunk genotype I were investigated.
Methods
The genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I was analyzed by PCR/sequencing of the SSU rRNA, actin, HSP70, COWP, TRAP-C1 and gp60 genes. The biology of chipmunk genotype I, including oocyst size, localization of the life cycle stages and pathology, was examined by light and electron microscopy and histology. Infectivity to Eurasian red squirrels and eastern gray squirrels was verified experimentally.
Results
Phylogenic analyses at studied genes revealed that chipmunk genotype I is genetically distinct from other Cryptosporidium spp. No detectable infection occurred in chickens and guinea pigs experimentally inoculated with chipmunk genotype I, while in laboratory mice, ferrets, gerbils, Eurasian red squirrels and eastern gray squirrels, oocyst shedding began between 4 and 11 days post infection. While infection in mice, gerbils, ferrets and eastern gray squirrels was asymptomatic or had mild clinical signs, Eurasian red squirrels developed severe cryptosporidiosis that resulted in host death. The rapid onset of clinical signs characterized by severe diarrhea, apathy, loss of appetite and subsequent death of the individual may explain the sporadic occurrence of this Cryptosporidium in field studies and its concurrent spread in the population of native European squirrels. Oocysts obtained from a naturally infected human, the original inoculum, were 5.64 × 5.37 μm and did not differ in size from oocysts obtained from experimentally infected hosts. Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I infection was localized exclusively in the cecum and anterior part of the colon.
Conclusions
Based on these differences in genetics, host specificity and pathogenicity, we propose the name Cryptosporidium mortiferum n. sp. for this parasite previously known as Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype I.
Graphical Abstract
... In Apodemus spp., Cryptosporidium occurrence ranged from 21% to 68% [19,77], in Microtus spp. and Myodes spp., it ranged from 2% to 73% [2,19,74,[78][79][80][81], in Mus spp., it ranged from 0% to 32%, in Rattus spp., it ranged from 14% to 45% and in shrews of the genus Sorex, it ranged from 14% to 44% [2,8,38,[82][83][84]. Thus, in this study, the overall occurrence of 1% and host-specific occurrence values are comparatively lower than in previous studies from Europe. Interestingly, a recent study from Spain that surveyed small mammals in a geographically close region (200 km distance) reported comparable low infection rates of 3.7% overall, suggesting the low occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in small mammals in the northwest region of the Iberian Peninsula. ...
Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. are important diarrhea-causing protozoan parasites worldwide that exhibit broad host ranges. Wild small mammals can harbor host-adapted and potentially zoonotic species of both parasites. The aim of this study was to investigate Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in wild rodents and shrews in Portugal, focusing on the protist’s occurrence and genetic diversity. Molecular screening by PCR at the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene locus of 290 fecal samples from wood mice (Apodemus sylvaticus), southwestern water voles (Arvicola sapidus), Cabrera’s voles (Microtus cabrerae), Lusitanian pine voles (Microtus lusitanicus), Algerian mice (Mus spretus) and greater white-toothed shrews (Crocidura russula) in Northeast Portugal revealed the low occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. (1%) and high occurrence of Giardia spp. (32.8%). The analysis revealed that “species” was the only significant factor associated with the increasing probability of Giardia spp. infection, with the highest prevalence reported in southwestern water voles and Lusitanian pine voles. Cryptosporidium and Giardia species determination at the SSU rRNA gene locus revealed C. muris and G. microti as the only circulating species, respectively. Subtyping of the glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) and beta-giardin (bg) genes provided evidence of the high genetic diversity within the G. microti clade. This study suggests that rodent-adapted G. microti occurs to a large extent in cricetid hosts and supports the limited role of wild rodents and shrews as natural sources of human infections in Northeast Portugal regarding the investigated parasites. Moreover, this is the first record of G. microti in southwestern water voles, Lusitanian pine voles, Algerian mice, wood mice and Cabrera’s voles and C. muris in Cabrera’s voles. Finally, this study improves the database of sequences relevant for the sequence typing of G. microti strains and provides new insights about the epidemiology of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents and shrews, two parasite genera of high importance for public and animal health.
... During this study, we found the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in foxes to be 12%, consistent with previous reports. We identified three Cryptosporidium species/genotypes in our study: C. canis fox specific genotype, Cryptosporidium vole genotype II, and Cryptosporidium alticolis related to those found in common voles [39]. Similarly, in raccoon dogs, apart from the C. canis dog-specific genotype, we also observed the presence of C. suis and C. erinacei, non-specific for this canid and usually isolated from pigs and wild boars, or hedgehogs, respectively. ...
... The ordinary diet of red foxes includes insects, birds, and small mammals; since Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts are routinely found in small rodents [39,40,44], the presence of rodent-specific cryptosporidia in foxes is not surprising. Similar results were reported by Kváč et al. (2021) [14], demonstrating the presence of non-specific C. tryzzeri, C. andersoni, and C. galii in foxes. ...
Cryptosporidium is an apicomplexan protozoan parasite that primarily infects the gastrointestinal epithelium in humans and domestic and wild animals. The majority of studies have been focused on human, livestock, and pet infections. Hence, Cryptosporidium spp. in wildlife, including wild carnivores, remained neglected. There are several studies reporting the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild foxes, but these are only a few molecular surveys; no data is available concerning the occurrence of this parasite in raccoon dogs and martens in Europe, and to the best of our knowledge to date, only one study has reported Cryptosporidium from badgers in Spain. Therefore, we used molecular analyses to identify and genotype Cryptosporidium spp. in wild-living mesocarnivores in Poland. A total of 322 individual fecal samples from six carnivore species, i.e., raccoon, raccoon dog, red fox, European badger, pine, and beech martens were collected and then analyzed for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using the nested PCR method. The appearance of PCR products in the reaction with Cryptosporidium-specific primers against the 18S rRNA and actin genes demonstrated that Cryptosporidium spp. occurred in 23.0% of all examined species of animals. Performed sequence analyses showed the presence of the Cryptosporidium skunk genotype, Cryptosporidium vole genotype II, Cryptosporidium canis dog and fox genotypes, as well as Cryptosporidium erinacei, Cryptosporidium ditrichi, Cryptosporidium suis, and Cryptosporidium alticolis, in these hosts. Molecular data presented here indicate that examined mesocarnivores may be a significant reservoir of specific and non-specific Cryptosporidium species, including those with zoonotic potential. Most studies of carnivores have described the presence of non-specific Cryptosporidium spp. in carnivore hosts, and this is probably the result of the transfer of these parasites from prey species through the digestive tract or the transfer of the parasite from a contaminated environment.
... Currently, more than 40 Cryptosporidium species and similar number of genotypes have been recognized as valid worldwide (Zahedi and Ryan 2020;Ježková et al. 2020;Zahedi et al. 2021). At least 21 Cryptosporidium species and 21 genotypes have been cited in rodents: Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium parvum, Cryptosporidium hominis, Cryptosporidium meleagridis, Cryptosporidium tyzzeri, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum, Cryptosporidium suis, Cryptosporidium scrofarum, Cryptosporidium erinacei, Cryptosporidium canis, Cryptosporidium wrairi, Cryptosporidium rubeyi, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium proliferans, Cryptosporidium occultus, Cryptosporidium viatorum, Cryptosporidium ditrichi, Cryptosporidium apodemi, Cryptosporidium alticolis, Cryptosporidium microti, Cryptosporidium ratti, rat genotypes II-IV, mouse genotypes II and III, naruko genotype, ferret genotype, chipmunk genotypes I and II, skunk genotype, hamster genotype, deer mouse genotypes I-IV, vole genotype, bear genotype, muskrat genotypes I and II, and ground squirrel genotypes I-III (see Lv et al. 2009;Paparini et al. 2012;Ng-Hublin et al. 2013;Kváč et al. 2014;Čondlová et al. 2018;Koehler et al. 2018;Zhang et al. 2018;Zhao et al. 2018;Horčičková et al. 2019;Zahedi and Ryan 2020;Ježková et al. 2020). Among them, C. parvum and C. hominis are the major species involved in human and waterborne outbreaks (Xiao 2010;Ryan and Xiao 2014). ...
Cryptosporidium spp. are worldwide protozoan parasites that can affect to a broad range of vertebrate hosts, including rodents. In the island of Corsica (France), there are no previous data about these protozoa infecting wild rodents. To estimate the distribution and occurrence, a total of 117 wild murine rodents of the species Rattus rattus (84), Mus musculus domesticus (21), Apodemus sylvaticus (11), and Rattus norvegicus (1) were captured in 24 different biotopes. Fecal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. by nested PCR to amplify an 830 bp fragment of the 18S rRNA gene. As general occurrence, 15.4% of the rodents analyzed were positive for Cryptosporidium spp., being detected widely distributed along the island in R. rattus (17.6%) and M. m. domesticus (14.3%). Cryptosporidium viatorum , Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype II, and Cryptosporidium sp. rat genotype III were successfully identified in R. rattus . The results herein reported provide the first data on Cryptosporidium spp. in wild murine species from a Mediterranean island and constitute the first report of the zoonotic species C. viatorum in R. rattus . Although a low occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in murids was obtained and only in one animal the zoonotic species C. viatorum was identified, our results highlight that wild murine rodents from Corsica could mediate in the maintenance and transmission of this protozoan to the environment and other hosts including humans and animals. Further studies are required to better understand the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents from Corsica and their possible public health repercussions.
... Furthermore, previous studies have shown a prevalence of 13.7-31.8% in Apodemus spp. [7,26], 21.3-22.6% in voles [7,11] and 14.3% in shrews [7]. In a previous Finnish study using microscopic methods, wild voles were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. in 0.8% of Microtus agrestis, 2.4% of Myodes glareolus and none of the Alexandromys oeconomus [18]. ...
... However, they have been quite an infrequent finding in rodents overall and it has been suggested that e.g., C. parvum infections, might be transient and short-term and occur following exposure to contaminated manure from ruminants [26]. Furthermore, it has been suggested that C. alticolis and C. microti, which are vole-species specific, might have been misidentified as C. parvum in studies merely based on microscopic evaluation [11]. In our study small mammals in Finland did not carry C. parvum. ...
... C. microti was identified for the first time in Microtus agrestis (field vole) and Alexandromys oeconomus (tundra/root vole) in the present study. Previously it has been identified from the common vole (Microtus arvalis) [11]. However, there are no reports on zoonotic transmission or infections caused by C. microti in humans. ...
There has been a significant increase in the number of reported human cryptosporidiosis cases in recent years. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents and shrews, and investigate the species and genotype distribution to assess zoonotic risk. Partial 18S rRNA gene nested-PCR reveals that 36.8, 53.9 and 41.9% of mice, voles and shrews are infected with Cryptosporidium species. The highest prevalence occurred in the Microtus agrestis (field vole) and Myodes glareolus (bank vole). Interestingly, bank voles caught in fields were significantly more often Cryptosporidium-positive compared to those caught in forests. The proportion of infected animals increases from over-wintered (spring and summer) to juveniles (autumn) suggesting acquired immunity in older animals. Based on Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analyses, Apodemus flavicollis (yellow-necked mouse) is commonly infected with zoonotic C. ditrichi. Voles carry multiple different Cryptosporidium sp. and genotypes, some of which are novel. C. andersoni, another zoonotic species, is identified in the Craseomys rufocanus (grey-sided vole). Shrews carry novel shrew genotypes. In conclusion, this study indicates that Cryptosporidium protozoan are present in mouse, vole and shrew populations around Finland and the highest zoonotic risk is associated with C. ditrichi in Apodemus flavicollis and C. andersoni in Craseomys rufocanus. C. parvum, the most common zoonotic species in human infections, was not detected.
... The prevalence range of Cryptosporidium is similar with that found in other wild rodents, such as 14% in Apodemus spp. in Europe, 27% in Apodemus speciosus in Japan, 16% in brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) in Czech Republic, 12% in muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) in USA, 30% in Chinese bamboo rats (Rhizomys sinensis) in China, or 7-14% in voles in Europe [38][39][40][41][42]. Consistent with most reports describing natural infections with Cryptosporidium spp. in wild rodents [16,17,38,[42][43][44], Eurasian red squirrels infected with C. sciurinum n. sp. shed low numbers of oocysts, often below the detection limit of microscopy. ...
... This age-dependent variation in Cryptosporidium spp. infection intensity has been observed previously in several studies [44][45][46][47][48][49]. Juveniles are probably more susceptible to infection because of their naive and immature immune system, which permits a higher intensity of infection. ...
Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. The diversity and biology of Cryptosporidium in tree squirrels are not well studied. A total of 258 Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from 25 and 15 locations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, respectively, were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and specific DNA at the SSU, actin, HSP70, TRAP-C1, COWP, and gp60 loci. Out of 26 positive animals, only juveniles (9/12) were microscopically positive (18,000 to 72,000 OPG), and molecular analyses revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype in all specimens. Oocysts obtained from naturally-infected squirrels measured 5.54–5.22 μm and were not infectious for laboratory mice (BALB/c and SCID), Mongolian gerbils, Guinea pigs, Southern multimammate mice, chickens, or budgerigars. None of naturally infected squirrels showed clinical signs of disease. The frequency of occurrence of the ferret genotype in squirrels did not vary statistically based on host age, gender or country of capture. Phylogenetic analysis of sequences from six loci revealed that Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype is genetically distinct from the currently accepted Cryptosporidium species. Morphological and biological data from this and previous studies support the establishment of Cryptosporidium sp. ferret genotype as a new species, Cryptosporidium sciurinum n. sp.
... Thus far, at least 15 known Cryptosporidium species (C. parvum, C. ubiquitum, C. viatorum, C. andersoni, C. muris, C. wrairi, C. homai, C. tyzzeri, C. apodemi, C. ditrichi, C. microti, C. alticolis, C. rubeyi, C. occultus, and C. rati) and 28 genotypes (rat genotypes II-V, ferret genotype, chipmunk genotypes I-V, bamboo rat genotypes I-III, hamster genotype, squirrel genotypes I-III, muskrat genotypes I-II, apodemus genotypes I-II, vole genotypes I-VII and Brandt's vole genotype I) have been identified [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24]. Therefore, rodents are considered reservoirs of some zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. ...
Cryptosporidium spp. are common protozoan pathogens in mammals. With pet rodents being integrated into modern life, the potential roles of them in transmitting parasites to humans need assessments. In the present study, we examined the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in pet rodents in Guangdong, south China. A total of 697 fecal samples were collected from 11 species of rodents in seven pet shops, one pet market and one farm. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified by PCR analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. An overall infection rate of 36.9% (257/697) was obtained, with infection rates varying from 9.3% in chinchillas, 52.3% in guinea pigs, 57.1% in squirrels, to 68.4% in cricetid animals. Nine Cryptosporidium species and genotypes were identified, including C. wrairi (in 129 guinea pigs), C. andersoni (in 34 hamsters), C. homai (in 32 guinea pigs), Cryptosporidium hamster genotype (in 30 hamsters), C. ubiquitum (in 24 chinchillas and squirrels), C. parvum (in 2 chinchillas), Cryptosporidium ferret genotype (in 2 chipmunks), C. muris (in 1 hamster and 1 guinea pig), and Cryptosporidium chipmunk genotype V (in 1 chinchilla and 1 chipmunk). Sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein gene identified three subtype families of C. ubiquitum, including family XIId in 15 chinchillas, XIIa in 5 chinchillas, and a new subtype family (XIIi) in 1 squirrel. The identification of C. parvum and C. ubiquitum in pet rodents suggests that these animals, especially chinchillas, could serve as reservoirs of human-pathogenic Cryptosporidium spp. Hygiene should be practiced in the rear and care of these animals, and One Health measures should be developed to reduce the occurrence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infections due to contact with pet rodents.
... However, many species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium, particularly those infecting wild animals, do not cause clinical signs [3,4]. Genetic and biological studies have shown a high diversity within the genus Cryptosporidium, with much of this diversity observed in wildlife hosts [5][6][7][8][9][10]. To date, 47 valid species [11][12][13] and more than 100 genotypes, which are distinguished from valid species on the basis of molecular differences and probably represent separate species, have been described [2]. ...
... An earlier study reported C. parvum in nutrias based on oocyst morphology [15,20]. Given that C. parvum has a broad host specificity, is reported infrequently in wildlife species [5,6,[47][48][49][50], and was found in a single nutria in the present study, it is possible that Pavlásek and Kozakiewicz [20] correctly identified the species. In support, they found that oocysts from naturally infected nutria were infectious for four-day-old laboratory mice under experimental conditions, a characteristic of C. parvum but not C. myocastoris (as we have shown in the present study). ...
... The prepatent period (5-6 DPI) is consistent with other intestinal Cryptosporidium spp. that are specific for rodents, such as C. ratti (4)(5) in rats, C. alticolis in voles (3-4 DPI), C. tyzzeri in mice (4-7 DPI), or other mammals, such C. parvum in calves (2-7 DPI) and C. scrofarum in pigs (4-6 DPI) [6,12,63,66,71,72]. ...
Cryptosporidium spp., common parasites of vertebrates, remain poorly studied in wildlife. This study describes the novel Cryptosporidium species adapted to nutrias (Myocastor coypus). A total of 150 faecal samples of feral nutria were collected from locations in the Czech Republic and Slovakia and examined for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts and specific DNA at the SSU, actin, HSP70, and gp60 loci. Molecular analyses revealed the presence of C. parvum (n = 1), C. ubiquitum subtype family XIId (n = 5) and Cryptosporidium myocastoris n. sp. XXIIa (n = 2), and XXIIb (n = 3). Only nutrias positive for C. myocastoris shed microscopically detectable oocysts, which measured 4.8–5.2 × 4.7–5.0 µm, and oocysts were infectious for experimentally infected nutrias with a prepatent period of 5–6 days, although not for mice, gerbils, or chickens. The infection was localised in jejunum and ileum without observable macroscopic changes. The microvilli adjacent to attached stages responded by elongating. Clinical signs were not observed in naturally or experimentally infected nutrias. Phylogenetic analyses at SSU, actin, and HSP70 loci demonstrated that C. myocastoris n. sp. is distinct from other valid Cryptosporidium species.
