Detection and Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from Wild Rodents and Insectivores in South Korea

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology Vol. 53; no. 6; pp. 737 - 743
• Main Authors: Song, J., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, C.Y., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Chang, S.N., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Abdelkader, T.S., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Han, J., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, T.H., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Oh, H., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Lee, J.M., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Kim, D.S., Shinpoong Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Ansan, Republic of Korea, Kim, J.T., Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea, Oh, H.S., Jeju National University, Jeju, Republic of Korea, Hur, M., National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Suh, J.H., National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea, Park, J.H., Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한기생충학열대의학회 01.12.2015; The Korean Society for Parasitology and Tropical Medicine
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild - parasitology; Brief Communication; Cryptosporidiosis - parasitology; CRYPTOSPORIDIUM; Cryptosporidium - classification; Cryptosporidium - genetics; Cryptosporidium - isolation & purification; Feces - parasitology; Genotype; Insectivora - parasitology; INSECTIVORE; INSECTIVORES; INSECTIVOROS; Molecular Sequence Data; Murinae; Phylogeny; REPUBLIC OF KOREA; REPUBLICA DE COREA; REPUBLIQUE DE COREE; Rodent Diseases - parasitology; rodent,COWP,18S rRNA,Korea; Cryptosporidium; COWP; rodent; insectivore; 18S rRNA; Korea
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2015.53.6.737

In order to examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in wild rodents and insectivores of South Korea and to assess their potential role as a source of human cryptosporidiosis, a total of 199 wild rodents and insectivore specimens were collected from 10 regions of South Korea and screened for Cryptosporidium infection over a period of 2 years (2012-2013). A nested-PCR amplification of Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene fragment revealed an overall prevalence of 34.2% (68/199). The sequence analysis of 18S rRNA gene locus of Cryptosporidium was performed from the fecal and cecum samples that tested positive by COWP amplification PCR. As a result, we identified 4 species/genotypes; chipmunk genotype I, cervine genotype I, C. muris, and a new genotype which is closely related to the bear genotype. The new genotype isolated from 12 Apodemus agrarius and 2 Apodemus chejuensis was not previously identified as known species or genotype, and therefore, it is supposed to be a novel genotype. In addition, the host spectrum of Cryptosporidium was extended to A. agrarius and Crosidura lasiura, which had not been reported before. In this study, we found that the Korean wild rodents and insectivores were infected with various Cryptosporidium spp. with large intra-genotypic variationa, indicating that they may function as potential reservoirs transmitting zoonotic Cryptosporidium to livestock and humans.