Molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium species among household cats and pet shop kittens in Japan.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To address the lack of up-to-date published data, the present study evaluates the PCR-based prevalence of Cryptosporidium species infection and molecular characteristics of isolates among household cats and pet shop kittens in Japan.

Methods

A total of 357 and 329 fresh faecal samples were collected from household cats and pet shop kittens, respectively, with or without clinical signs of infection. A nested PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene was employed for the detection of Cryptosporidium species. After specific DNA fragments (approximately 826 base pairs) were confirmed, the amplicons were sequenced to determine species.

Results

Seven (2.0%) household cats and one (0.3%) pet shop kitten tested positive for the presence of Cryptosporid

SUBMITTER: Ito Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5607915 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature