Genetic Diversity of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Bactrian Camels (<i>Camelus bactrianus</i>) in Xinjiang, Northwestern China

• Main Authors: Yangwenna Cao, Zhaohui Cui, Qiang Zhou, Bo Jing, Chunyan Xu, Tian Wang, Meng Qi, Longxian Zhang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Pathogens
• Subjects: <i>Cryptosporidium</i>; genotype; Bactrian camels; zoonotic potential; public health
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/9/11/946

<i>Cryptosporidium</i> species are ubiquitous enteric protozoan pathogens of vertebrates distributed worldwide. The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the zoonotic potential and genetic diversity of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Bactrian camels in Xinjiang, northwestern China. A total of 476 fecal samples were collected from 16 collection sites in Xinjiang and screened for <i>Cryptosporidium</i> by PCR. The prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> was 7.6% (36/476). Six <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species, <i>C. andersoni</i> (<i>n</i> = 24), <i>C. parvum</i> (<i>n</i> = 6), <i>C. occultus</i> (<i>n</i> = 2), <i>C. ubiquitum</i> (<i>n</i> = 2), <i>C. hominis</i> (<i>n</i> = 1), and <i>C. bovis</i> (<i>n</i> = 1), were identified based on sequence analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the <i>gp60</i> gene identified six <i>C. parvum</i> isolates as subtypes, such as If-like-A15G2 (<i>n</i> = 5) and IIdA15G1 (<i>n</i> = 1), two <i>C. ubiquitum</i> isolates, such as subtype XIIa (<i>n</i> = 2), and one <i>C. hominis</i> isolate, such as Ixias IkA19G1 (<i>n</i> = 1). This is the first report of <i>C. parvum</i>, <i>C. hominis</i>, <i>C. ubiquitum</i>, and <i>C. occultus</i> in Bactrian camels in China. These results indicated that the Bactrian camel may be an important reservoir for zoonotic <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. and these infections may be a public health threat in this region.