Cryptosporidium is a genus of zoonotic pathogens transmissible from a variety of animals to humans and is a considerable
public health concern. It is a significant cause of diarrheal disease in developing and industrialized nations. Cryptosporidium
parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the main agents of cryptosporidiosis in humans. In this study we identified the genotypes
of the Cryptosporidium isolates from clinical samples from diarrheic children using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification
and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analyses of the TRAP-C2 gene (Thrompodin Related Adhesive
Protein). A total of 430 fecal specimens from 1 to 14 years children were collected from inpatient and outpatient clinics of
Benha University, Educational and Children Specialized Hospitals, Benha, Qalubyia, and were microscopically examined for
Cryptosporidium spp. All infected samples were also analyzed using nested PCR. A polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-restriction
fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the (266-366 bp) of TRAP-C2 gene was also used to detect and identify
Cryptosporidium spp. in PCR- positive samples. The results showed that 50 (11.63%) of the specimens were positive for
Cryptosporidium spp. Genomic amplification and restriction digestion of the PCR products by BstETI, Hae III for TRAP-C2
gene restriction enzymes revealed that 82% (41/50) had C. parvum, 12% (6/50) had C. hominis, and three (3/50) samples (6%)
had mixed infections. In conclusion, elevated prevalence of C. parvum, suggesting animal-human (zoonotic) transmission and
further investigations are required to determine the subgenotypes of C. parvum to clarify the mode of transmission in order to
improve the control measures. |
