Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. Isolates from Bats in Colombia

Abstract

AbstractPurposeCryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the protozoan parasiteCryptosporidiumspp., frequently found in several animal species, including bats. SeveralCryptosporidiumgenotypes have been described in bats worldwide, suggesting that bats are infected by host-specificCryptosporidiumspp. To date, there are no published reports aboutCryptosporidiumspp. in bats from Colombia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the presence and molecular diversity ofCryptosporidiumspp. in Colombian bats.MethodsA total of 63 gut samples from three bat species served for molecular detection ofCryptosporidiumspp. 18S rDNA gene by qPCR. The sequenced amplicons were used in subsequent phylogenetic analyses to identify them as species or genotypes.ResultsCryptosporidiumspp. qPCR detection occurred in 9.5% (6/63) of bat intestines, and four sequences represented two new genotypes, calledCryptosporidiumbat genotypes XIX and XX, were identified.ConclusionsThis study describes the detection of two novelCryptosporidiumbat genotypes, in two species of bats from a region of Colombia, requiring further studies to determine the relationhip betweenCryptosporidiumand bats in Colombia.