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Review: Equine cryptosporidiosis – cosmopolitan occurrence?

Inácio SV

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

Widmer G

Department of Infectious Disease & Global Health, Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, North Grafton, Massachusetts, USA, Westboro Rd, North Grafton, MA, USA

Oliveira BCM

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

Gomes JF

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Institutes of Biology and Computation, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil - Zeferino Vaz University City - Barão Geraldo, Campinas - SP / Brazil

Falcão AX

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP), Institutes of Biology and Computation, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil - Zeferino Vaz University City - Barão Geraldo, Campinas - SP / Brazil

Ferrari ED

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

Corbucci FS

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

Nagata WB

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

Bresciani KDS

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Support, Production and Animal Health, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba - SP / Brazil

DOI: 10.15761/AHDVS.1000148

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Abstract

Cryptosporidium寄生虫感染马worldwi分布de. The reported prevalence of equine cryptosporidiosis is quite variable, ranging from 0% to 37.8%. According to the literature, horses can become infected with variousCryptosporidium物种,包括Cryptosporidiumparvum,Cryptosporidiumhominis,Cryptosporidium muris,Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype,Cryptosporidiumtyzzeri, andCryptosporidiumandersoni. Here we review the literature on equine cryptosporidiosis dating back to 1978. Because of the possibility of the human parasiteCryptosporidiumhominisinfecting horses, we examined the phylogeny of theCryptosporidiumsmall subunit ribosomal RNA and GP60 genes isolated from horses and found evidence of equine cryptosporidiosis caused by this species which is commonly assumed to be restricted to humans.

Key words

coccidia, cryptosporidium spp., foal, horse

Introduction

Cryptosporidiosis is a globally distributed infection causing sporadic gastroenteritis, abdominal pain, vomiting and fever. Several zoonotic species have been identified in humans, but most cases of human cryptosporidiosis are caused byC. parvumandC. hominis[1]. Cryptosporidiosis has long been recognized as a serious veterinary problem in neonatal ruminants [2].C. parvumis the main species found in goats [3], lambs, calves[4] and foals [5].

The observation that equines may be infected withCryptosporidiumspecies similar to those infecting humans [6-11], prompted to focus this review on the global occurrence ofCryptosporidiumspp. in equines and review the literature describingCryptosporidiumspecies found in horses.

Taxonomy

The genusCryptosporidiumis classified in the phylum Apicomplexa, class Sporozoae, subclass Coccidia, order Eucoccidiida, suborder Eimeriina and family Cryptosporididae [12]. The taxonomic classification of the genus is still being debated, as recent phylogenetic studies have shown proximity to the subclass Cryptogregaria, which is part of the Gregarines in the phylum Apicomplexa, class Gregarinomorphea. This proposed classification is based on reports that oocysts can multiply outside the host, on the presence of a specialized feeding organelle and the absence of the apicoplast [13-19]. Recent studies using DNA sequencing have led to the currently proposed taxonomy of the genusCryptosporidiumcomprising 31 species and more than 70 genotypes [20], including the newly described speciesCryptosporidium proliferans[21] andCryptosporidium avium[22]. The taxonomic classification ofCryptosporidiumisolated from equines based exclusively on genetic data is uncertain, particularly in the absence of characteristic morphological traits of the oocysts and a lack of data on host range.

Epidemiology of equine cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium在马类分布全球所有continents. Most studies reviewed here are from American and European countries 38.4%, and 35.9% respectively, while studies from Asia, Oceania and Africa are 12.8%, 7.7% and 5.1%, respectively. Most studies reporting onCryptosoporidiumin equines are from North America, only three reports described equine infections from South Americans, whereas literature onCryptosporidiumin equines from Central America no was identified in our search (Table 1).

Table 1.Global occurrence ofCryptosporidium, species and GP60 genotype in equines according to diagnostic methodology

Continent

Country

Total Horses

Positives

Species

GP60 Genotype

Diagnostic Method

Reference

Africa

Algeria

138

4

Cryptosporidiumhedgehog

----------

PCR

[52]

Algeria

219

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA16G1R1

PCR

[6]

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA15G1

Cryptosporidium muris

RN66

America

Brazil

396

3

Cryptosporidiumspp.

-----------

CF/SMB

[53]

Brazil

196

39

Cryptosporidiumspp.

----------

MKT

[54]

Brazil

92

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA18G3R1

PCR

[11]

20

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA20G1

Canada

2

2

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

SF/EM

[55]

Canada

35

8

Cryptosporidiumspp.

FS/IM

[41]

United States of America

29

5

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

HE/W-G/EM

[39]

United States of America

14

-

------------------------

------------

SC

[25]

United States of America

22

22

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

FF

[56]

United States of America

91

--

------------------------

------------

DFA/LC

[26]

United States of America

366

13

-----------------------

------------

AF/IFA/FC

[57]

United States of America

1

1

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

IM

[58]

United States of America

223

3

Cryptosporidiumspp.

-----------

MAF

[59]

United States of America

349

16

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA14G2

DFA/PCR

[34]

United States of America

88

18

Cryptosporidium

----------

RT- PCR

[40]

United States of America

84

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA13G2R2

PCR

[60]

28

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA17G2R1

Asia

Jordan

74

6

Cryptosporidium parvum

--------------

qPCR

[61]

China

262

7

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

PCR

[36]

China

29

2

Cryptosporidium andersoni

MLST

SSFT/PCR

[7]

China

---

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA19G1

PCR

[9]

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA16G1

China

333

Cryptosporidium andersoni

IdA15

PCR

[10]

6

Cryptosporidium hominis

Europe

Czech Republic

2

11

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA11G3

PCR

[23]

Cryptosporidium parvum

Czech Republic

3

3

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

PCR

[62]

Czech Republic/Poland

352

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

ACMVSM, PCR

[8]

Cryptosporidium tyzzeri

IXbA22R9

Cryptosporidium muris

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Czech Republic/Poland

352

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

ACMVSM, PCR

[8]

Cryptosporidium tyzzeri

IXbA22R9

Cryptosporidium muris

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

England

644

17

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

IF

[63]

England

80

40

Cryptosporidium parvum

-----------

EPM /ZN

[64]

England

52

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

DI/EM/PCR

[47]

England and Wales

18

6

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

IS/IM/PCR

[65]

Greece/Belgium/Netherlands/Germany

398

8

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

-----------

IFA/PCR

[37]

Italy

150

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

ZN/CF/LS/SF /DFA/PCR

[66]

Italy

74

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

ELISA/PCR

[67]

Italy

37

14

Cryptosporidium parvum

VIaA15G4

PCR

[35]

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Italy

73

14

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA21G0

ZN/PCR

[27]

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA22G1

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA23GR1

Italy

64

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA23G1

ZN/PCR

[44]

Switzerland

1

1

Cryptosporidium parvum

-----------

ZN/F/S/PCR

[42]

Oceania

New Zealand

17

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

HE/PAS/G/AF/PCR

[28]

New Zealand

9

9

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA18G3R1

PCR

[5]

New Zealand

131

67

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

PCR

[38]

Subtitle:Tissues Stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Wolbach-Giemsa (W-G), Electronic Microscopy (EM), Sucrose Centrifugation (SC), Sucrose Flotation (SF), Fecal Flotation (FF), Immunoflorescence (IF), Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), Levitation Centrifugation Tests (LC), Sheather Fotation (SF), Immunofluorescent Microscopy (IM), Acid-Fast (AF), Immunofluorescence Test (IFA), Flow Cytometry (FC), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Epifluorescence Microscopy (EPM), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Giemsa (G), Direct Immunofluorescence (DI), Flotation (F), Sedimentation (S), Centrifugation and Flotation (CF), Safranine–Methylene-Blue (SMB), Modified Acid-Fast (MAF), Lugol Staining (LS), Imunogenetic Separation (IS), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Modified Kinyoun Technique (MKT), Real-time-PCR – RT-PCR, Aniline-Carbol-Methyl Violet Staining Method (ACMVSM), Sheather's Sugar Floatation Technique (SSFT

Between 2003 and today, many researchers have used PCR to identifyCryptosporidiumspecies in equine samples, advancing our understanding of the occurrence of this parasite and the role of horses and foals in the epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis. Table 1 shows that horses can become infected withC. parvum,C. hominis,C. muris,C. tyzzeri,C. andersoni, C. erinaceiand what has been namedCryptosporidiumhorse genotype [23]. The first two species are infectious to humans, and are responsible for approximately 90% of human cryptosporidiosis cases [1,24]. The susceptibility of horses to the same species infecting humans indicates that horses may play a role in the zoonotic transmission of these parasites.

It is important to note that the reported prevalence ofCryptosporidiumin equines samples is quite variable, ranging from 0% [25,26] to 37.8% [27]. In our literature survey, equines of different age groups, genders and breeds were included, which may account for the wide range in reported prevalence. Thus, in Table 1, the actual prevalence may differ, in part due to the use of different diagnostic techniques, which makes it difficult to compare results from different surveys.

In New Zealand, a first-ever study was conducted on an outbreak of cryptosporidiosis in nine purebreed foals. Epidemiological, clinical, pathological and genetic data were compiled, andC. parvumisolates identified based on restriction fragment polymorphism and on the sequence of the 18S rRNA gene as belonging to what was then named “cattle” genotype ofC. parvum[28] and later renamedC. parvum.

The first description of the infection of equines byCryptosporidiumhedgehog genotype (renamedC. erinacei[29], is from Algeria [30].CryptosporidiumDNA belonging to this species was identified using PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene and the gp60 gene. This observation indicates that the horses may participate as hosts or mechanical carriers inC. erinaceilife cycle [30].C. hominisDNA was amplified from an equine fecal sample from Algeria using PCR targeting the Heat shock Protein 70 (HSP70), theCryptosporidiumOocyst Wall Protein (COWP) and TSP-related adhesive protein ofCryptosporidium-1(TRAP-C1) genes.C. muriswas described for the first time in equine samples from Algeria by sequencing the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes [6]. These findings reinforces the hypothesis of a new species ofCryptosporidiuminfecting equines because until recently, few species ofCryptosporidiumwere found in horses, however, with the reports ofC. murisandC. tyzzeriincrease susceptibility to infection in horses [8]. As there are a few reports of equine infected withC. hominis[6,10,11], Laatamna’s report of a horse in Algeria infected with this species is intriguing, due to the factC. hominisis usually described infecting humans. Similar observations were reported from China [9] and from Brazil [11]. Interestingly, these studies found similar GP60 genotypes, designated IkA15G1, IkA16G1 and IkA20G1, respectively. Although the GP60 genotypes identified in these studies are not identical, the genotypes of additional genetic markers, such as the 18S rRNA, actin and HSP70, are consistent with horses being susceptible toC. hominisor a genotypically similar species (Figure 1). Although a human case of cryptosporidiosis caused by an isolate with GP60 genotype Ik was apparently identified (NCBI nucleotide accession number KU727290), Ik alleles are not frequently observed in humans. On the other hand, similar GP60 alleles were found inC. cuniculus[31], a species infecting rabbits and humans which is closely related toC. hominis. The significance of equine infections withC. hominis, orC. hominis-like parasites, for zoonotic transmission of this species is unknown.

Figure 1.Phylogenetic trees based on the partial sequence of the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes show the phylogenetic context ofCryptosporidiumsequences isolated from horses. A) Trees were generated using a 583-nt fragment of the 18S gene from equineCryptosporidiumisolates andC. hominis, C. parvumandC. meleagridisreference sequences. B) Phylogenetic tree based on approximately 100-nt fragment of the GP60 gene. Scale bars indicate 0.0010 and 0.050, respectively. BV, bovine, HM, human; DY donkey; HR/FL/WildHR, equine (horse, foal, wild horse, respectively

The occurrence ofCryptosporidiumspp. is often associated with urban areas and particularly with the contamination of water supplies with human fecal material [32,33]. In Brazil,C. hominisGP60 genotype IkA20G1 andC. parvumgenotypes IIaA18G3R1 and IIaA15G2R1 were collected from foals that drank water from a river that receives untreated urban wastewater [11]. The putative presence ofC. hominisin horses raises public health concerns [10], since is distributed in all continents of the world. The identification in recent studies ofC. hominis, orC. hominis例如寄生虫,在马(6、10、11)显示contact between humans and horses may favor the transmission of this species, which is not commonly associated with zoonotic transmission.

In the Czech Republic, equines infected withC. parvumand with the horse genotype were identified using PCR targeting the 18S rDNA and HSP-70 genetic markers. This work showed that the horse genotype is more closely related toCryptosporidium wrairi, there being a 98.7% similarity for 18S and 99% similarity for HSP-70 [23] between these taxa.C. parvumand theCryptosporidiumhorse genotype have been reported in several other studies from different countries, such as the Czech Republic [8], the USA [34], Italy [27,35], China [36], and Belgium [37]. Based on these observations, we conclude that horses worldwide may be infected withCryptosporidiumparasites. Published evidence suggests thatC. parvum/Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype andC. hominis, are the most common agent of equine infections followed byC. andersoniandC. muris, C. hedgehog (erinacei) andC. tyzzeri.

PCR allowedCryptosporidiumspecies detection in equine population, including zoonotic ones. These findings are important and have generated worries for public health.

发病机制和临床表现

The incidence of clinicalC. parvuminfections in newborn foals may be underestimated, perhaps accounting for cases empirically diagnosed as foal heat diarrhea [38]. In one of the earliest reports on equine cryptosporidiosis, the susceptibility of immunodeficient foals to this infection was described [39]. Immunocompetent foals where also found to develop diarrhea while eliminatingCryptosporidiumoocysts [25], potentially causing economic loss to owners. Thus, it is often unclear whether the primary cause of symptoms is cryptosporidiosis or a viral agent. In most cases, other infectious agents that can also causes diarrhea were not considered or not diagnosed. In Kentucky,Cryptosporidiuminfections are most commonly observed in foals affected by other infections, caused by bacteria and viruses [25,40]. Symptoms are poorly described in equines [41]. More researches need to be performed to elucidate equine cryptosporidiosis symptomatology and pathogenicity ofCryptosporidiumspecies.

In New Zealand, in post-mortem examinations of three foals, it was found that their intestines were full of fluid, were dilated, swollen and thin-walled, with no inflammation in the abdominal cavity. Microscopic examination of hematoxylin eosin stained sections of intestinal tissue revealed the presence in epithelial cells of numerous round organisms approximately two to five microns in size in much of the duodenum. These lesions were found to be consistent with cryptosporidiosis [28]. In Switzerland, a 9-day-old foal with diarrhea, fever and feces with fetid odor was also found to be infected withC. parvum[42].

Cryptosporidiumcaused inflammation and atrophy of the intestinal microvillous region with loss of absorptive surface, imbalance in the transport of nutrients and impairment in animal productivity [43].

Zoonotic potential

Currently, there is only one description of zoonotic transmission in equines. A study conducted in Italy it was shown that six veterinary students and hospitalized foals had symptoms consistent with cryptosporidiosis.C. parvumwith GP60 genotype IIdA23G1 [44] was found in humans and animals. Students could have been infected by being in contact with foals infected withCryptosporidiumand because oocysts are highly resistant to environmental conditions and disinfectants, remaining viable for a long period of time [45].

An observation consitent with transmission between horses and other livestock species is a report of a horse infected withC. andersoni, a species commonly found in the abomasum of adult ruminants. The possible transmission between cattle and horses has also been reported from China [7]. Further evidence of horses being susceptible toC. parvumwas reported from the UK, confirming that equines can potentially be a source of zoonotic infection of humans [46,47]. The extent of genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium isolated from equines was studied by sequencing polymorphic regions of the GP60 glycoprotein and heat shock protein HSP70 gene. These analyses revealed species and genotypes ofCryptosporidiumgenetically closely resembling those found in humans and bovines [5].

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype was initially described in Przewalski’s wild horse foal [23], being considered as specific genotype of horses, as found in New York, in foals and their mares has been reported [34]. However, theCryptosporidiumhorse genotype was also found in an immuno-compromised woman in England [48], suggesting a risk to human health.

ManyCryptosporidiumspecies were found in farm animals samples [41,49]. Generally, these animals drink untreated water from rivers passing through the farm and wells. This water may be contaminated with oocysts of zoonotic and zooantroponotic species ofCryptosporidium.Once they ingest oocysts, animals can be infected or act as mechanical carriers, sheddingCryptosporidiumoocysts and contaminating pasture. Most of farm animals are herbivors, so there are two ways they can be infected: drinking contaminated water or eating contaminated grass. Oocysts in the environment can be also carried by rain to watercourses allowing another susceptible living being infection.

C. parvumhas been found in faecal samples of livestock [32,50].C. parvumwas also found in faecal samples of wild mustangs and Chincoteague ponies. These animals have minimal contact with humans; however, they ingest water and graze in the same places as cattle and wildlife such as deer and elk [51].

Conclusion

We verified that the genusCryptosporidiumwith its species is distributed worldwide in the equine population. We also observed that most pathogenic species for humans detected in equines areC. parvumandC. hominis, evidencing a public health problem.

Competing interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Editorial Information

Editor-in-Chief

Article Type

Research Article

Publication history

Received date: December 14, 2018
Accepted date: December 26, 2018
Published date: December 28, 2018

Copyright

©2018 Inácio SV. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation

Inácio SV, Widmer G, Oliveira BCM, Gomes JF, Ferrari ED, et al. (2018) Review: Equine cryptosporidiosis – cosmopolitan occurrence? Anim Husb Dairy Vet Sci 2: DOI:10.15761/AHDVS.1000148

Corresponding author

Bresciani KDS

Universidade Estadual Paulista (Unesp), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Animal Production and Support, Araçatuba, Brazil - Clóvis Pestana St, Dona Amélia, Araçatuba, Brazil

Table 1.Global occurrence ofCryptosporidium, species and GP60 genotype in equines according to diagnostic methodology

Continent

Country

Total Horses

Positives

Species

GP60 Genotype

Diagnostic Method

Reference

Africa

Algeria

138

4

Cryptosporidiumhedgehog

----------

PCR

[52]

Algeria

219

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA16G1R1

PCR

[6]

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA15G1

Cryptosporidium muris

RN66

America

Brazil

396

3

Cryptosporidiumspp.

-----------

CF/SMB

[53]

Brazil

196

39

Cryptosporidiumspp.

----------

MKT

[54]

Brazil

92

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA18G3R1

PCR

[11]

20

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA20G1

Canada

2

2

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

SF/EM

[55]

Canada

35

8

Cryptosporidiumspp.

FS/IM

[41]

United States of America

29

5

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

HE/W-G/EM

[39]

United States of America

14

-

------------------------

------------

SC

[25]

United States of America

22

22

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

FF

[56]

United States of America

91

--

------------------------

------------

DFA/LC

[26]

United States of America

366

13

-----------------------

------------

AF/IFA/FC

[57]

United States of America

1

1

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

IM

[58]

United States of America

223

3

Cryptosporidiumspp.

-----------

MAF

[59]

United States of America

349

16

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA14G2

DFA/PCR

[34]

United States of America

88

18

Cryptosporidium

----------

RT- PCR

[40]

United States of America

84

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA13G2R2

PCR

[60]

28

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA17G2R1

Asia

Jordan

74

6

Cryptosporidium parvum

--------------

qPCR

[61]

China

262

7

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

PCR

[36]

China

29

2

Cryptosporidium andersoni

MLST

SSFT/PCR

[7]

China

---

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA19G1

PCR

[9]

Cryptosporidium hominis

IkA16G1

China

333

Cryptosporidium andersoni

IdA15

PCR

[10]

6

Cryptosporidium hominis

Europe

Czech Republic

2

11

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA11G3

PCR

[23]

Cryptosporidium parvum

Czech Republic

3

3

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

PCR

[62]

Czech Republic/Poland

352

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

ACMVSM, PCR

[8]

Cryptosporidium tyzzeri

IXbA22R9

Cryptosporidium muris

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Czech Republic/Poland

352

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA15G2R1

ACMVSM, PCR

[8]

Cryptosporidium tyzzeri

IXbA22R9

Cryptosporidium muris

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

England

644

17

Cryptosporidiumspp.

------------

IF

[63]

England

80

40

Cryptosporidium parvum

-----------

EPM /ZN

[64]

England

52

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

DI/EM/PCR

[47]

England and Wales

18

6

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

IS/IM/PCR

[65]

Greece/Belgium/Netherlands/Germany

398

8

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

-----------

IFA/PCR

[37]

Italy

150

12

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

ZN/CF/LS/SF /DFA/PCR

[66]

Italy

74

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

ELISA/PCR

[67]

Italy

37

14

Cryptosporidium parvum

VIaA15G4

PCR

[35]

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Italy

73

14

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA21G0

ZN/PCR

[27]

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA22G1

Cryptosporidiumhorse genotype

VIaA15G4

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA23GR1

Italy

64

2

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIdA23G1

ZN/PCR

[44]

Switzerland

1

1

Cryptosporidium parvum

-----------

ZN/F/S/PCR

[42]

Oceania

New Zealand

17

5

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

HE/PAS/G/AF/PCR

[28]

New Zealand

9

9

Cryptosporidium parvum

IIaA18G3R1

PCR

[5]

New Zealand

131

67

Cryptosporidium parvum

----------

PCR

[38]

Subtitle:Tissues Stained with Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Wolbach-Giemsa (W-G), Electronic Microscopy (EM), Sucrose Centrifugation (SC), Sucrose Flotation (SF), Fecal Flotation (FF), Immunoflorescence (IF), Direct Fluorescent Antibody (DFA), Levitation Centrifugation Tests (LC), Sheather Fotation (SF), Immunofluorescent Microscopy (IM), Acid-Fast (AF), Immunofluorescence Test (IFA), Flow Cytometry (FC), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), Epifluorescence Microscopy (EPM), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS), Giemsa (G), Direct Immunofluorescence (DI), Flotation (F), Sedimentation (S), Centrifugation and Flotation (CF), Safranine–Methylene-Blue (SMB), Modified Acid-Fast (MAF), Lugol Staining (LS), Imunogenetic Separation (IS), Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), Modified Kinyoun Technique (MKT), Real-time-PCR – RT-PCR, Aniline-Carbol-Methyl Violet Staining Method (ACMVSM), Sheather's Sugar Floatation Technique (SSFT

Figure 1.Phylogenetic trees based on the partial sequence of the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes show the phylogenetic context ofCryptosporidiumsequences isolated from horses. A) Trees were generated using a 583-nt fragment of the 18S gene from equineCryptosporidiumisolates andC. hominis, C. parvumandC. meleagridisreference sequences. B) Phylogenetic tree based on approximately 100-nt fragment of the GP60 gene. Scale bars indicate 0.0010 and 0.050, respectively. BV, bovine, HM, human; DY donkey; HR/FL/WildHR, equine (horse, foal, wild horse, respectively