Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in seagulls, pigeons, dogs, and cats in Thailand

Zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp., particularly C. meleagridis, C. canis, and C. felis, are enteric protozoa responsible for major public health concerns around the world. To determine the spread of this parasite in Thailand, we conducted molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. from animal samples around the country, by collecting and investigating the feces of seagulls (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus and Chroicocephalus ridibundus), domestic pigeons (Columba livia domestica), dogs, and cats. Seagull and pigeon samples were collected at the seaside and on the riverside to evaluate their potential for waterborne transmission. Ten pigeon samples were combined into one set, and a total of seven sets were collected. Seventy seagull samples were combined into one set, and a total of 13 sets were collected. In addition, 111 dog samples were collected from cattle farms, and 95 dog and 80 cat samples were collected from a temple. We identified C. meleagridis in pigeons, Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls, C. canis in dogs, and C. felis in cats. In the temple, the prevalence was 2.1% (2/95) for dogs and 2.5% (2/80) for cats. No Cryptosporidium was found in dog samples from cattle farms. These are the first findings of C. meleagridis in domestic pigeons, and Cryptosporidium avian genotype III in seagulls. Our study invites further molecular epidemiological investigations of Cryptosporidium in these animals and their environment to evaluate the public health risk in Thailand. Les espèces zoonotique de Cryptosporidium, particulièrement C. meleagridis, C. canis et C. felis, sont des protozoaires entériques responsables de préoccupations majeures de santé publique à travers le monde. Pour la détermination de la propagation de ce parasite en Thaïlande, nous avons effectué l’identification moléculaire de Cryptosporidium spp. à partir d’échantillons d’animaux de tout le pays, en recueillant et en examinant les excréments de mouettes (Chroicocephalus brunnicephalus et Chroicocephalus ridibundus), pigeons domestiques (Columba livia domestica), chiens et chats. Les échantillons provenant de mouettes et de pigeons ont été recueillis en bord de mer ou de rivière pour évaluer leur potentiel de transmission par les eaux. Dix échantillons de pigeons ont été combinés en un seul ensemble, et un total de sept ensembles ont été collectées. Soixante-dix échantillons de mouettes ont été combinés en un seul ensemble, et un total de 13 ensembles ont été collectés. En outr