Samie A, Hlungwani A H, Mbati P A
Molecular Parasitology and Opportunistic Infections Program, Department of Microbiology, School of Mathematical and Natural Sciences, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, Limpopo Province, South Africa.
Trop Biomed. 2017 Sep 1;34(3):636-647.
To determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for the transmission of Cryptosporidium species among animals in rural Limpopo Province, South Africa. A total of 314 stool samples from 64 households were collected from animals in three villages situated in the Vhembe and Mopani Districts, South Africa and examined for Cryptosporidium, using the modified Ziehl Neelsen technique and confirmed by the real time PCR method. A questionnaire was developed to capture demographic data as well as other household information from the owners of the animals. Positive samples were further sequenced for the identification of the species present in the samples. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the animals was 31.2%. Of all the animal types tested goats (47.7%) appeared to be the most infected followed by cattle (26.8%) and chicken (7.4%). From the 64 households surveyed 43 (67.2%) had at least one or more infected animals. Adult animals were more infected (32%) compared to young animals (29%) but the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.793). The gender of the animal as well as the consistency of the stool did not affect the occurrence of Cryptosporidium; however, the level of education as well as the gender of the owners significantly affected the prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the animals they kept. C. parvum was the most commonly isolated organism while C. andersoni was identified in our region for the first time as well and occurred in both goats and cattle. This study showed a high prevalence of Cryptosporidium in domestic animals, which could constitute a health threat to both animals and humans in the region. The gender of the head of the Household and level of education were very significant factors in the prevalence of Cryptosporidium among the animals. Community education will be useful in helping reduce the impact of these infections.
为确定南非林波波省农村地区动物中隐孢子虫物种传播的流行情况及可能的风险因素。从南非韦姆贝区和莫帕尼区三个村庄的动物身上共采集了来自64户家庭的314份粪便样本，采用改良齐-尼氏技术检测隐孢子虫，并通过实时聚合酶链反应方法进行确认。设计了一份问卷，以获取动物主人的人口统计学数据以及其他家庭信息。对阳性样本进一步测序，以鉴定样本中存在的物种。动物中隐孢子虫的总体流行率为31.2%。在所有检测的动物类型中，山羊（47.7%）似乎感染率最高, 其次是牛（26.8%）和鸡（7.4%）。在接受调查的64户家庭中，43户（67.2%）至少有一只或多只感染动物。成年动物的感染率（32%）高于幼年动物（29%），但差异无统计学意义（p = 0.793）。动物的性别以及粪便的稠度并不影响隐孢子虫的发生；然而，主人的教育程度以及性别显著影响他们所饲养动物中隐孢子虫的流行率。微小隐孢子虫是最常分离出的病原体，而安氏隐孢子虫也是首次在我们地区被鉴定出，且在山羊和牛中均有出现。本研究表明家畜中隐孢子虫的流行率很高，这可能对该地区的动物和人类健康构成威胁。户主的性别和教育程度是动物中隐孢子虫流行率的非常重要的因素。社区教育将有助于减少这些感染的影响。
