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OCCURRENCE AND GENOTYPISATION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIES IN OSTRICHES IN FARM BREED
HEJZLAROVÁ, Adéla
Avian cryptosporidiosis is a common parasitic disease caused by unicellular parasites belonging to the genus Cryptosporidium spp. These parasites have been described as a cause of various respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases of humans, farm and wild animals. Total of 204 faecal samples of common ostriches (Struthio camelus) were collected on four ostrich farms in the Czech Republic. Samples were screened for Cryptosporidium presence by microscopy and PCR/sequencing. Overall, 2.5 % (5/204) and 5.9 % (12/204) of animals were positive for Cryptosporidium by microscopy and PCR, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis of small subunit rRNA, actin and gp60 gene sequences showed the presence of Cryptosporidium avian genotype II (n=7) and C. ubiquitum IXa (n=5). Only ostriches infected with Cryptosporidium avian genotype II shed oocysts that were detectable by microscopy. Oocysts were purified from a pooled sample of four birds, characterised morphometrically and used in experimental infections to determine biological characteristics. Oocysts of Cryptosporidium avian genotype II measure 6.13 × 5.15 m, which is indistinguishable from C. baileyi and C. avium. Cryptosporidium avian genotype II was experimentally infectious for geese (Anser anser f. domestica), chickens (Gallus gallus f. domestica) and cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus), with a prepatent period of four, seven and eight days post infection, respectively and not infectious for mice (Mus musculus) and rats (Rattus norvegicus). The infection intensity ranged from 1,000 to 16,000 oocysts per gram. None of the naturally or experimentally infected birds developed clinical signs in the present study.
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