Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in semi-intensive pig production systems in the state of São Paulo, Brazil

Abstract

Considering the importance of pigs acting as a source of infection for zoonotic protozoan species, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence and perform the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in pigs raised in semi-intensive production systems in the municipality of Araçatuba, state of São Paulo, Brazil. Two hundred fecal samples from pigs raised in four farms were collected between March and August 2018. Detection and speciation of Cryptosporidium spp. were performed by nested PCR of small subunit ribosomal RNA (18 S rRNA) gene followed by Sanger sequencing. The chi-square statistical test was performed to verify the association between positivity and negativity for Cryptosporidium spp. with the age of the pigs. Cryptosporidium spp. were identified in 34/200 (17%) samples. Sequencing of amplified fragments identified Cryptosporidium scrofarum in ten samples. No statistical significance was observed between the positivity and age of the animals. The presence of C. scrofarum, a potentially zoonotic protozoan, was confirmed in domestic pigs for the first time in the state of São Paulo, Brazil.