Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals living in Switzerland, Kenya, and the United States.

Morgan, U.M., Weber, R., Xiao, L., Sulaiman, I., Thompson, R.C.A., Ndiritu, W., Lal, A.A., Moore, A. and Deplazes, P. (2000) Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium isolates obtained from human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals living in Switzerland, Kenya, and the United States. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 38 (3). pp. 1180-1183.

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Abstract

A total of 22 Cryptosporidium isolates from human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients from Kenya, Switzerland, and the United States were examined at three genetic loci: the 18S ribosomal DNA, HSP-70, and acetyl coenzyme A synthetase genes. Four distinct Cryptosporidium genotypes were identified: (i) the Cryptosporidium parvum "human" genotype, (ii) the C. parvum "cattle" genotype, (iii) Cryptosporidium felis, and (iv) Cryptosporidium meleagridis. This is the first report of C. meleagridis in a human host. These results and those of others indicate that immunocompromised individuals are susceptible to a wide range of Cryptosporidium species and genotypes. Future studies are required to understand the full public health significance of Cryptosporidium genotypes and species in immunocompromised hosts.