Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis infections and impact on growth performance of Churra Galega Mirandesa lambs

IF 2.2 2区农林科学 Q2 PARASITOLOGY

Veterinary parasitology Pub Date : 2025-08-23 DOI:10.1016/j.vetpar.2025.110585

Mariana Louro , Zita Ruano , João Lozano , Adriana Györke , Georgiana Deak , Isabel Pereira da Fonseca , Jacinto Gomes

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important protozoan parasites that impair the health and growth of lambs, leading to productivity losses in sheep production systems. Understanding their impact is essential for developing effective management strategies to improve lamb health. This study investigates the infection rate and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in lambs of the Churra Galega Mirandesa breed in Portugal, as well as their influence on average daily weight gain (ADWG). A total of 91 lambs living in 19 farms were examined, revealing infection rates of 51.6 % (47/91) for Cryptosporidium spp. and 17.6 % (16/91) for G. duodenalis. Molecular analysis identified five Cryptosporidium species (C. parvum, C. bovis, C. xiaoi, C. ryanae, and C. ubiquitum), with C. parvum being predominant, alongside two genotypes (IIaA15G2R1 and IIdA21G1), and G. duodenalis assemblage E. Diagnostic methods demonstrated that PCR was superior in detecting these protozoa compared to traditional microscopy techniques. Protozoan infections were associated with reduced ADWG in lambs, with statistically significant effects observed for Cryptosporidium spp. (p-value = 0.001). Cohabitation with cattle also significantly reduced ADWG, suggesting potential cross-species transmission. These findings highlight the importance of targeted control measures within a One Health framework and contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology and molecular diversity of these protozoan infections in lambs.

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隐孢子虫和十二指肠贾第虫感染的分子特征及其对山羊羔羊生长性能的影响

隐孢子虫和十二指肠贾第鞭毛虫是重要的原生寄生虫，它们会损害羔羊的健康和生长，导致绵羊生产系统的生产力损失。了解它们的影响对于制定有效的管理战略以改善羔羊健康至关重要。本研究研究了葡萄牙Churra Galega Mirandesa羔羊隐孢子虫和十二指肠隐孢子虫的感染率、分子特征及其对平均日增重（ADWG）的影响。对19个农场的91只羔羊进行了检测，隐孢子虫感染率为51.6 %(47/91)，十二指肠棘球绦虫感染率为17.6 %（16/91）。分子分析鉴定出5种隐孢子虫（细小隐孢子虫、牛隐孢子虫、小隐孢子虫、红隐孢子虫和隐孢子虫），其中细小隐孢子虫占优势，有2种基因型（IIaA15G2R1和IIdA21G1）和十二指肠隐孢子虫组合e。诊断方法表明，与传统显微镜技术相比，PCR在检测这些原生动物方面具有优势。原生动物感染与羔羊ADWG的降低有关，隐孢子虫的影响具有统计学意义（p值= 0.001）。与牛同居也显著降低了ADWG，表明可能存在跨物种传播。这些发现强调了在“同一个健康”框架内采取有针对性的控制措施的重要性，并有助于了解羔羊中这些原生动物感染的流行病学和分子多样性。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Veterinary parasitology 农林科学-寄生虫学

CiteScore

5.30

自引率

7.70%

发文量

126

审稿时长

36 days

期刊介绍： The journal Veterinary Parasitology has an open access mirror journal,Veterinary Parasitology: X, sharing the same aims and scope, editorial team, submission system and rigorous peer review. This journal is concerned with those aspects of helminthology, protozoology and entomology which are of interest to animal health investigators, veterinary practitioners and others with a special interest in parasitology. Papers of the highest quality dealing with all aspects of disease prevention, pathology, treatment, epidemiology, and control of parasites in all domesticated animals, fall within the scope of the journal. Papers of geographically limited (local) interest which are not of interest to an international audience will not be accepted. Authors who submit papers based on local data will need to indicate why their paper is relevant to a broader readership. Parasitological studies on laboratory animals fall within the scope of the journal only if they provide a reasonably close model of a disease of domestic animals. Additionally the journal will consider papers relating to wildlife species where they may act as disease reservoirs to domestic animals, or as a zoonotic reservoir. Case studies considered to be unique or of specific interest to the journal, will also be considered on occasions at the Editors'' discretion. Papers dealing exclusively with the taxonomy of parasites do not fall within the scope of the journal.