Cryptosporidium meleagridisin an Indian ring-necked parrot (Psittacula krameri)

Morgan, U.M., Xiao, L., Limor, J., Gelis, S., Raidal, S.R., Fayer, R., Lal, A.A., Elliot, A. and Thompson, R.C.A. (2000) Cryptosporidium meleagridisin an Indian ring-necked parrot (Psittacula krameri). Australian Veterinary Journal, 78 (3). pp. 182-183.

Abstract

Objective: To perform a morphological and genetic characterisation of a Cryptosporidium infection in an Indian ring-necked parrot (Psittacula krameri) and to compare this with C meleagridis from a turkey. Design Tissue and intestinal sections from an Indian ring-necked parrot were examined microscopically for Cryptosporidium. The organism was also purified from the crop and intestine, the DNA extracted and a portion of the 18S rDNA gene amplified, sequenced and compared with sequence and biological information obtained for C meleagridis from a turkey as well as sequence information for other species of Cryptosporidium. Results Morphological examination of tissue sections from an Indian ring-necked parrot revealed large numbers of Cryptosporidium oocysts attached to the apical border of enterocytes lining the intestinal tract. Purified Cryptosporidium oocysts measured about 5.1 × 4.5 μm, which conformed morphologically to C meleagridis. The sequence obtained from this isolate was identical to sequence information obtained from a C meleagridis isolate from a turkey. Conclusion Cryptosporidium meleagridis was detected in an Indian ring-necked parrot using morphological and molecular methods. This is the first time that this species of Cryptosporidium has been reported in a non-galliform host and extends the known host range of C meleagridis.