Diversity ofCryptosporidiumin common voles and description ofCryptosporidium alticolissp. n. andCryptosporidium microtisp. n. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae)

Abstract

AbstractFecal samples from wild-caught common voles (n= 328) from 16 locations in the Czech Republic were screened forCryptosporidiumby microscopy and PCR/sequencing at loci coding small-subunit rRNA,Cryptosporidiumoocyst wall protein, actin and 70 kDa heat shock protein.Cryptosporidiuminfections were detected in 74 voles (22.6%). Rates of infection did not differ between males and females nor between juveniles and adults. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the presence of eightCryptosporidiumspecies/genotypes including two new species,C. alticolisandC. microti. These species from wild-caught common voles were able to infect common and meadow voles under experimental conditions, with a prepatent period of 3–5 days post-infection (DPI), but they were not infectious for various other rodents or chickens. Meadow voles lost infection earlier than common voles (11–14vs13–16 DPI) and had significantly lower infection intensity.Cryptosporidium alticolisinfects the anterior small intestine and has larger oocysts (5.4 × 4.9µm), whereasC. microtiinfects the large intestine and has smaller oocysts (4.3 × 4.1µm). None of the rodents developed clinical signs of infection. Genetic and biological data support the establishment ofC. alticolisandC. microtias separate species of the genusCryptosporidium.