Detection and characterization of a Cryptosporidium isolate from a southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) from the Antarctic peninsula

C Rengifo-Herrera; L M Ortega-Mora; M Gómez-Bautista; F T García-Moreno; D García-Párraga; J Castro-Urda; S Pedraza-Díaz

doi:10.1128/AEM.01422-10

Detection and characterization of a Cryptosporidium isolate from a southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) from the Antarctic peninsula

Appl Environ Microbiol. 2011 Feb;77(4):1524-7. doi: 10.1128/AEM.01422-10. Epub 2010 Dec 17.

Authors

C Rengifo-Herrera¹, L M Ortega-Mora, M Gómez-Bautista, F T García-Moreno, D García-Párraga, J Castro-Urda, S Pedraza-Díaz

Affiliation

¹ SALUVET, Animal Health Department, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Complutense University of Madrid, Ciudad Universitaria s/n, 28040 Madrid, Spain.

Abstract

The presence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in 221 fecal samples from different species of Antarctic pinnipeds was investigated by immunofluorescence microscopy and PCR. Cryptosporidium, a skunk-like genotype, was detected only in a southern elephant seal. Giardia was not detected. This is the first report of a Cryptosporidium sp. in Antarctic marine mammals.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Antarctic Regions
Cryptosporidium / classification
Cryptosporidium / genetics
Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification*
Feces / microbiology
Fluorescent Antibody Technique
Giardia / isolation & purification*
Microscopy, Fluorescence
Molecular Sequence Data
Polymerase Chain Reaction
Seals, Earless / microbiology*

Associated data

GENBANK/GQ421425
GENBANK/GQ421426