Cryptosporidium ubiquitum n sp in animals and humans

A new species Cryptosporidium ubiquitum previously identified as the Cryptosporidium cervine genotype and Infrequently as the cervid W4 or genotype 3 genotype is described In published studies this genotype was reported in wild and domesticated ruminants rodents carnivores and primates including humans In the present study oocysts were found in feces from a captive prehensile-tailed porcupine and her infant Oocysts from the porcupine were transmitted to 4 boer goats Oocysts from the goats were transmitted to a calf (calf 1) and oocysts from calf 1 were transmitted to gerbils and BALB/c mouse pups Calf 2 housed near calf 1 became contaminated and excreted oocysts of C ubiquitum Oocysts collected from calf 2 were transmitted to a calf 3 When calf 2 stopped excreting C ubiquitum oocysts it was challenged with oocysts of C parvum and became Infected indicating a lack of cross-species immunity Oocysts of C ubiquitum from calf 1 measured 4 71-5 32 mu m x 4 33-4 98 mu m (mean =5 04 mu m x 466 mu m) with a length/width shape index of 1 08 (n = 50) Purified PCR products of the SSU rRNA actin and COWP genes were sequenced and analysis of the 3 unlinked loci demonstrated the new species to be distinct from all other species and also demonstrated a lack of recombination providing further evidence of species status Based on morphological molecular and biological data this geographically widespread parasite infectious for a wide range of mammalian hosts is recognized as a new species and is named C ubiquitum Published by Elsevier B V