Prevalence and Genotyping ofCryptosporidiumInfection in Pet Parrots in North China

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused byCryptosporidiumspp., sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in humans and animals. In the present study, 311 parrots, belonging to four species, namely, Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Lovebirds (Agapornissp.), Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria), and Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), from Beijing and Weifang cities, were examined forCryptosporidiumspp. infection. Blood samples of each bird were examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal samples were examined by Sheather’s sugar flotation technique. Prevalence ofCryptosporidiuminfection were 3.22% (10/311) and 0.64% (2/311) by ELISA and Sheather’s sugar flotation technique, respectively. Seroprevalence ofCryptosporidiuminfection in different breeds varied from 0 to 15.39%. Sequencing analysis showed that both positive samples from fecal samples belonged toCryptosporidiumavian genotype V. This is the first report ofCryptosporidiumavian genotype V in Budgerigars. The results of the present study provided foundation-data for prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis in pet birds in China.