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Biology of Cryptosporidium parvum in pigs: from weaning to market
Cryptosporidium parvum is commonly identified as infecting domestic livestock and humans. Prevalence of C. parvum in pigs has been reported, however, the duration and infection pattern of naturally acquired Cryptosporidium infections in pigs has not been reported. This study was undertaken to invest...
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Published in: | Veterinary parasitology 2003-04, Vol.113 (1), p.7-18 |
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Main Authors: | , , |
Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
Subjects: | |
Citations: | Items that this one cites Items that cite this one |
Online Access: | Get full text |
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Summary: | Cryptosporidium parvum is commonly identified as infecting domestic livestock and humans. Prevalence of
C. parvum in pigs has been reported, however, the duration and infection pattern of naturally acquired
Cryptosporidium infections in pigs has not been reported. This study was undertaken to investigate the age of oocyst shedding and duration of natural
Cryptosporidium parvum infections in pigs from weaning to market weight. Fecal samples were collected from weaned Yorkshire–Landrace piglets (
n=33) twice per week until
Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected. Upon oocyst detection, fecal samples were collected three times per week and pigs were monitored throughout the study for diarrhea and examined after concentration and immunofluroescent staining.
Cryptosporidium isolates were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction to amplify the
HSP70 gene which was subsequently sequence analyzed. All 33 pigs shed oocysts some time during the study. The mean age of initial oocyst detection was 45.2 days post-weaning with the mean duration of infection 28.7 days. Mean number of
Cryptosporidium oocysts was low and declined to zero prior to study completion. Episodes of diarrhea were not associated with oocyst excretion. Genetic sequences were obtained for 10 of the pigs. All of the 10 isolates aligned as the
Cryptosporidium parvum ‘pig’ genotype. This study demonstrates that the age and duration of oocyst shedding in pigs infected with
C. parvum porcine genotype is different from other livestock species. |
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ISSN: | 0304-4017 1873-2550 |
DOI: | 10.1016/S0304-4017(03)00039-6 |