Korean J Parasitol.  2016 Aug;54(4):423-429. 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.4.423.

Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium Species from Pet Snakes in Thailand

• Yimming B
• Pattanatanang K
• Sanyathitiseree P
• Inpankaew
• Kamyingkird K
• Pinyopanuwat N
• Chimnoi W
• Phasuk J

• KMID: 2353571
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2016.54.4.423

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an important pathogen causing gastrointestinal disease in snakes and is distributed worldwide. The main objectives of this study were to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species in captive snakes from exotic pet shops and snake farms in Thailand. In total, 165 fecal samples were examined from 8 snake species, boa constrictor (Boa constrictor constrictor), corn snake (Elaphe guttata), ball python (Python regius), milk snake (Lampropeltis triangulum), king snake (Lampropeltis getula), rock python (Python sebae), rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria), and carpet python (Morelia spilota). Cryptosporidium oocysts were examined using the dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)-modified acid-fast staining and a molecular method based on nested-PCR, PCR-RFLP analysis, and sequencing amplification of the SSU rRNA gene. DMSO-modified acid-fast staining revealed the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in 12 out of 165 (7.3%) samples, whereas PCR produced positive results in 40 (24.2%) samples. Molecular characterization indicated the presence of Cryptosporidium parvum (mouse genotype) as the most common species in 24 samples (60%) from 5 species of snake followed by Cryptosporidium serpentis in 9 samples (22.5%) from 2 species of snake and Cryptosporidium muris in 3 samples (7.5%) from P. regius.

Keyword

Cryptosporidium parvum; Cryptosporidium serpentis; Cryptosporidium muris; snake; nested PCR; SSU rRNA; Thailand

MeSH Terms

Agriculture
Animals, Exotic
Boidae
Colubridae
Cryptosporidium parvum
Cryptosporidium*
Dimethyl Sulfoxide
Floors and Floorcoverings
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Genes, rRNA
Methods
Milk
Oocysts
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Snakes*
Thailand*
Zea mays
Dimethyl Sulfoxide