Genetic analysis of Cryptosporidium from 2414 humans with diarrhoea in England between 1985 and 2000

Abstract

The characterization of Cryptosporidium using DNA extracted from whole faecal samples collected from 2414 humans with diarrhoea in England between 1985 and 2000 where cryptosporidial oocysts were detected using conventional methods is described. Characterization was achieved by PCR/RFLP and DNA sequencing of fragments of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein and the 18S rDNA genes. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in 56.1 % of cases, Cryptosporidium hominis in 41.7 % and a mixture of C. parvum and C. hominis in 0.9 %. In the remainder of cases, Cryptosporidium meleagridis (0.9 %), Cryptosporidium felis (0.2 %), Cryptosporidium andersoni (0.1 %), Cryptosporidium canis (0.04 %), Cryptosporidium suis (0.04 %) and the Cryptosporidium cervine type (0.04 %) were detected.