Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates from calves in Argentina

Cryptosporidiosis is responsible for significant fatalities of neonatal calves, resulting in substantial economic loss in dairy farming in several countries. Additionally, the high shedding of environmentally resistant oocysts by calves promotes contamination of drinking water and facilitates outbreaks of cryptosporidiosis in humans. Here we report on the Cryptosporidium species and GP60 subtypes of 45 calves originating from the Humid Pampa, the main productive dairy farming area of Argentina. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR)restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the 18S rRNA gene was done to determine the infecting Cryptosporidium species and only Cuptosporidium parvum was detected. Subtyping by sequence analysis of the GP60 gene revealed 6 different alleles all pertaining to the zoonotic IIa family. Of these, IlaA23G1R1 represents a novel ha subtype. Other identified subtypes, Hal 8G1R1, HaA20G1R1, HaA21G1R1, and liaA22G1R1 have been recognized in very few studies and/or with low frequencies. Interestingly, different alleles prevailed in the provinces of Buenos Aires (llaA17G1R1 and IIaA21G1R1), Santa Fe (IIaA23G1R1), and Cordoba (HaA20G1R1 and IlaA21G1R1), and different allele distribution patterns were observed. Subtypes HaA18G1R1 and IlaAl 7G1R1, the latter often found in this study, are strongly implicated in zoonotic transmission, suggesting that calves may represent a potential source for human cryptosporidiosis in this region. This is the first published report of a molecular analysis of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy and beef calves from Argentina. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.