Prevalence of Cryptosporidium genotypes in pre and post-weaned pigs in Australia

Johnson, J., Buddle, R., Reid, S., Armson, A. and Ryan, U.M. (2008) Prevalence of Cryptosporidium genotypes in pre and post-weaned pigs in Australia. Experimental Parasitology, 119 (3). pp. 418-421.

Abstract

A total of 289 pig faecal samples were collected from pre-weaned and post-weaned piglets and sows from 1 indoor and 3 outdoor piggeries located in the south-west region of Western Australia and screened at the 18S rRNA locus for the presence of Cryptosporidium. An overall prevalence of 22.1% (64/289) was identified. Cryptosporidium was more prevalent in post-weaned animals (p < 0.05); 32.7% (51/156) versus 10.6% (13/123) for pre-weaned animals. Sequence analysis identified Cryptosporidium suis in all pre-weaned isolates genotyped (7/13). In post-weaned pigs that were genotyped (n = 38), the non-zoonotic Cryptosporidium species, pig genotype II was identified in 32 samples and C. suis in 6 samples. The zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum was not detected, suggesting that domestic pigs do not pose a significant public health risk. Pig genotype II was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with 'normal' stools, indicating an asymptomatic nature in the porcine host.

Publication Type:	Journal Article
Murdoch Affiliation:	School of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences School of Nursing & Midwifery
Publisher:	Academic Press
Copyright:	(c) Elsevier
URI:	http://researchrepository.murdoch.edu.au/id/eprint/3416

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