Infections and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in small wild mammals on the Eastern Tibetan plateau: public health implications.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan parasites that cause significant diarrheal diseases. Small mammals are potential reservoirs for their zoonotic transmission. The Tibetan Plateau alpine ecosystem harbors diverse and abundant small wild mammals, but their roles in the transmission of Cryptosporidium and Giardia remain inadequately studied.

Methods

Field sampling was conducted in Shiqu County, Sichuan Province, on the eastern Tibetan Plateau, in 2023. Small wild mammals were captured and morphologically identified. Fecal DNA was screened for Cryptosporidium and Giardia with nested-PCR targeting the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene and the beta-giardin (bg) gene, respectively. Positive DNA samples were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Diffe

SUBMITTER: Zuo Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12492625 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature