Epidemiological survey on Cryptosporidium in an Equine Perinatology Unit

- Epidemiology of cryptosporidiosis in hospitalized foals by molecular analysis was evaluated.
- Environmental samples before and after the breeding season were analyzed.
- Prevalence observed in foals (37.8%) was higher than that reported in farms studies.
- The subtyping at gp60 locus showed the presence of different strains.
- The analysis of the data suggesting the presence of nosocomial infection.

The present study aims to evaluate the prevalence, pattern of spread and risk factors for the transmission of cryptosporidiosis in foals and mares hospitalized in a University Equine Perinatology Unit, where a new subtype family of Cryptosporidium horse genotype was described by Caffara et al. (2013). Mares (36) and foals (37) hospitalized during the 2012 foaling season were included. Multiple sampling from each animal was performed (a total of 305 stool samples were collected). One hundred and eleven environmental samples (gauze swabs) were also collected before and after the breeding season. Fourteen foals were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. by PCR in at least one sample; a total of 35 foal stool specimens were confirmed for the presence of the protozoa. Instead none of the stool specimens from mares were found positive. PCR-RFLP analysis shows Cryptosporidium parvum in 5 stool samples and Cryptosporidium horse genotype in 21. In 9 specimens, from 4 different foals, the profile was suggestive for a mixed infection. The subtyping at gp60 locus showed 2 strains as members of the subtype family IId and six of the subfamily IIa of C. parvum. Twenty isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium horse genotype subtype VIaA15G4. Five gauze swabs collected from the walls of the boxes where the animals were hosted out of 111 environmental samples examined were PCR positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Cryptosporidium parvum was detected in one sample collected before the foaling season, while Cryptosporidium horse genotype profile was observed in 4 wall samples collected at the end of the 2012 foaling season. The prevalence observed in foals (37.8%) was higher than that reported in other studies. These features and the diffusion of the same genotype point out as the EPU, where critically ill foals are hospitalized, can support the spread of cryptosporidiosis. Therefore, the manual tasks and the activities carried out in these facilities are of great importance, as they might favor the diffusion of the infection.