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Cryptosporidiosis outbreak caused by Cryptosporidium parvum subtype IIdA20G1 in neonatal calves
  • +9
  • Zhenjie Zhang,
  • Dongle Su,
  • Xinan Meng,
  • Ruobing Liang,
  • Weijian Wang,
  • Na Li,
  • Yaqiong Guo,
  • Aizhen Guo,
  • Shujing Li,
  • Zengyuan Zhao,
  • Lihua Xiao,
  • Yaoyu Feng
Zhenjie Zhang
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Dongle Su
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Xinan Meng
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Ruobing Liang
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Weijian Wang
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Na Li
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Yaqiong Guo
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Aizhen Guo
State Key Laboratory of Agricultural Microbiology, Huazhong Agricultural University,
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Shujing Li
Shijiazhuang Tianquan Elite Breeding Dairy Cow Co., LTD.,
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Zengyuan Zhao
Shijiazhuang Tianquan Elite Breeding Dairy Cow Co., LTD.,
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Lihua Xiao
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Yaoyu Feng
Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Diseases, College of Veterinary Medicine, South China Agricultural University,
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Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a major zoonotic pathogen responsible for outbreaks of severe diarrhea in humans and calves. Almost all investigations of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks caused by C. parvum have focused on its IIa subtype family in industrialized nations. From December 2018 to April 2019, approximately 200 neonatal calves on a large cattle farm in Hebei Province, China presented watery diarrhea and over 40 died. To investigate the cause of the outbreak, 179 and 223 fecal specimens were collected during and after the diarrhea outbreak from the farm, including 40 and 56 from neonatal calves, respectively. Among them, 18 fecal specimens from ill calves during the peak of the outbreak were analyzed for four common enteric pathogens using enzymatic immunoassay (EIA), 75 additional specimens from neonatal calves were tested for rotavirus by EIA, and all specimens were analyzed for Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR and sequencing techniques. Of the initial 18 specimens from sick calves, ten were positive for C. parvum, five for rotavirus, and one for coronavirus. The overall prevalence of rotavirus in neonatal calves was 20.0% (15/75), with no significant differences during (21.6% or 8/37) and after (18.4% or 7/38) the outbreak. In contrast, the prevalence of C. parvum was significantly higher during the outbreak (60.0%, 24/40) than after the outbreak (30.4%, 17/56). C. parvum infection was associated with the occurrence of watery diarrhea in neonatal calves (odds ratio = 11.19), while no association was observed between C. bovis infection and diarrhea. All C. parvum isolates were identified as subtype IIdA20G1. Older animals were infected with C. bovis, C. ryanae, C. occultus, and C. andersoni. This is one of the few reports of outbreaks of severe diarrhea caused by C. parvum IId subtypes in calves. More attention should be directed toward preventing the dissemination of C. parvum in China.
10 Oct 2020Submitted to Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
10 Oct 2020Submission Checks Completed
10 Oct 2020Assigned to Editor
14 Oct 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
04 Nov 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Nov 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
25 Nov 20201st Revision Received
25 Nov 2020Submission Checks Completed
25 Nov 2020Assigned to Editor
28 Nov 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
06 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
16 Dec 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
21 Dec 20202nd Revision Received
21 Dec 2020Submission Checks Completed
21 Dec 2020Assigned to Editor
23 Dec 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
29 Dec 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
02 Jan 2021Editorial Decision: Accept
Mar 2022Published in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases volume 69 issue 2 on pages 278-285. 10.1111/tbed.13976