Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait
<i>Cryptosporidium</i> is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosi...
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Animals |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/14/1805 |
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| author | Qais A. H. Majeed Maha S. AlAzemi Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou |
| author_facet | Qais A. H. Majeed Maha S. AlAzemi Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou |
| author_sort | Qais A. H. Majeed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis in preweaned calves. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection, investigate the potential risk factors, and use molecular diagnosis to identify the predominant <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in preweaned calves in Kuwait. Of 175 preweaned calves, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> antigens were detected in 58 (33.1%) using rapid lateral immunochromatography assay (IC). Calves less than one month of age (OR = 4.32, <i>p</i> = 0.0001) and poor hygiene (OR = 2.85, <i>p</i> = 0.0075) were identified as significant risk factors associated with <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection. Molecular identification revealed that <i>C. parvum</i> (62.8%) was the dominant species infecting preweaned calves in Kuwait. In contrast, <i>C. bovis</i> and <i>C. andersoni</i> were recorded at 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. All <i>C. parvum</i> gp60 nucleotide sequences were subtype IIaA15G2R1. Calves could be a source of <i>C. parvum</i> infection due to the similarity of the subtypes recorded previously in Kuwaiti children and preweaned calves in this study. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the <i>Cryptosporidium</i> transmission cycle in Kuwait. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:47:25Z |
| format | Article |
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| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:47:25Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Animals |
| spelling | doaj.art-73894959da094f6e81665e753b7efb5a2023-12-03T14:31:52ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152022-07-011214180510.3390/ani12141805Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in KuwaitQais A. H. Majeed0Maha S. AlAzemi1Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh2Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou3Department Science, College of Basic Education, PAAET, Aridyia, Farwanyia 23167, KuwaitDepartment Science, College of Basic Education, PAAET, Aridyia, Farwanyia 23167, KuwaitDepartment Science, College of Basic Education, PAAET, Aridyia, Farwanyia 23167, KuwaitEarly Warning Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases-Gulf Cooperation Council, PAAFR, 1307 Safat, Rabyia, Farwanyia 21422, Kuwait<i>Cryptosporidium</i> is a worldwide enteric protozoan parasite that causes gastrointestinal infection in animals, including humans. The most notable species is <i>Cryptosporidium parvum</i> because of its zoonotic importance; it is also the leading cause of cryptosporidiosis in preweaned calves. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection, investigate the potential risk factors, and use molecular diagnosis to identify the predominant <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in preweaned calves in Kuwait. Of 175 preweaned calves, <i>Cryptosporidium</i> antigens were detected in 58 (33.1%) using rapid lateral immunochromatography assay (IC). Calves less than one month of age (OR = 4.32, <i>p</i> = 0.0001) and poor hygiene (OR = 2.85, <i>p</i> = 0.0075) were identified as significant risk factors associated with <i>Cryptosporidium</i> infection. Molecular identification revealed that <i>C. parvum</i> (62.8%) was the dominant species infecting preweaned calves in Kuwait. In contrast, <i>C. bovis</i> and <i>C. andersoni</i> were recorded at 5.7% and 2.9%, respectively. All <i>C. parvum</i> gp60 nucleotide sequences were subtype IIaA15G2R1. Calves could be a source of <i>C. parvum</i> infection due to the similarity of the subtypes recorded previously in Kuwaiti children and preweaned calves in this study. Therefore, more research is needed to understand the <i>Cryptosporidium</i> transmission cycle in Kuwait.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/14/1805<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp.<i>C. parvum</i> IIaA15G2R1preweaned calvesrisk factorsKuwait |
| spellingShingle | Qais A. H. Majeed Maha S. AlAzemi Mohammed T. Al-Sayegh Nadra-Elwgoud M. I. Abdou Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait Animals <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. <i>C. parvum</i> IIaA15G2R1 preweaned calves risk factors Kuwait |
| title | Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait |
| title_full | Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait |
| title_fullStr | Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait |
| title_full_unstemmed | Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait |
| title_short | Epidemiological and Molecular Study of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait |
| title_sort | epidemiological and molecular study of i cryptosporidium i in preweaned calves in kuwait |
| topic | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. <i>C. parvum</i> IIaA15G2R1 preweaned calves risk factors Kuwait |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/12/14/1805 |
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