Endoparasitosis of feathered game

A total of 180 samples, 119 from pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) and 61mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) were collected during two consecutive years (from 2011 to 2012). All samples were examined for the presence endoparasite using the flotation method according Sheather. In samples from pheasants were detected these types of parasites: Capillaria spp., Eimeria spp., Heterakis spp., and Trichostrongylus spp. In addition, Syngamus spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in the duck samples. Microscopical examination of aniline-carbol-methyl violet stained fecal smears revealed to Cryptosporidium spp. 12 positive samples originating from Anas platyrhynchos. DNA was extracted from Cryptosporidium positive samples and all microscopically negative samples. Nested PCR was performed to amplify the partial SSU rRNA gene of Cryptosporidium. The sequence analyses of PCR-positive specimens identified 10 samples as Cryptosporidium avian genotype III and 4 samples as C. muris. No clinical signs were detected in any Cryptosporidium positive animals. This is the first report of Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in the Czech Republic and also in Anas platyrhynchos