Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. from children in Kolkata, India

J Clin Microbiol. 2006 Nov;44(11):4246-9. doi: 10.1128/JCM.00091-06. Epub 2006 Sep 13.

Abstract

The intracellular parasite Cryptosporidium is responsible for severe diarrhea in immunocompromised persons in developing countries. Few studies on the characterization of the parasite in India are available. In this study, molecular characterization of the parasite from diarrheic children was carried out by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. At least three genotypes were identified. Out of 40 positive samples, 35 were positive for C. hominis, 4 were positive for C. parvum, and 1 was positive for C. felis. This study clearly suggests that cryptosporidiosis in this region is caused largely by anthroponotic transmission.

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cryptosporidiosis / transmission
  • Cryptosporidium / classification
  • Cryptosporidium / genetics*
  • Diarrhea / parasitology
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

Associated data

  • GENBANK/DQ899781
  • GENBANK/DQ899782
  • GENBANK/DQ899783