The identification and characterisation of an unusual genotype of Cryptosporidium from human faeces as Cryptosporidium meleagridis

An unusual genotype of Cryptosporidium was identified in the faeces of six human patients by PCR/RFLP analysis of the Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) gene. Conventional microscopy showed oocysts indistinguishable in size from those of Cryptosporidium parvum, which reacted with two different commercially available anti-oocyst monoclonal antibodies. The isolates were further characterised by PCR/RFLP analysis of the thrombospondin-related adhesive protein of Cryptosporidium-1 (TRAP-C1) genes as well as by DNA sequencing of the COWP and the TRAP-C1 gene fragments and of two regions of the 18S rRNA gene. Sequence analysis of the COWP, TRAP-C1, and 18S rRNA gene fragments confirmed that this genotype is genetically distinct from C. parvum. 18S rRNA gene sequences were found to be identical to those published for Cryptosporidium meleagridis.