Diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. infecting rodents from subfamily Arvicolinae in the Czech Republic

Abstract In order to examine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium in wild Arvicolinae in the Czech Republic and understand the role that wild rodents play in the transmission of this parasite to humans and livestock, 152 faecal samples from 129 common voles (Microtus arvalis) and 23 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were collected on 9 localities in 2012. All samples were examined for presence of Cryptosporidium sp. using both the aniline-carbol-methyl violet staining method and molecular tools. The age, sex and faecal consistency were noted at the time of sampling. Microscopical examination revealed the presence Cryptosporidium sp. oocysts in 2 samples originated from common voles and 2 samples from bank voles. Genotyping was done through PCR amplification and characterization of the SSU rRNA and actin loci. Cryptosporidium specific DNA was detected in 10 samples (4 from common voles and 6 from bank voles) including those microscopically positive. Cryptosporidium infection was not linked to diarrhoea. Sequence and following phylogeny analyses revealed two new Cryptosporidium genotypes originated from bank voles and two new genotype from common vole, phylogeneticaly distinct from known species and genotypes. The host specificity needs to be verified by experimental infection in the future