Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain
<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. are protozoan parasites that cause cryptosporidiosis, an enteric disease that can affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Pigs play a potential role in the transmission of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. to humans, although infections are most often s...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Laura Garza-Moreno Celia León Joaquín Quílez |
| author_facet | Laura Garza-Moreno Celia León Joaquín Quílez |
| author_sort | Laura Garza-Moreno |
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| description | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. are protozoan parasites that cause cryptosporidiosis, an enteric disease that can affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Pigs play a potential role in the transmission of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. to humans, although infections are most often subclinical. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in swine farms located in Aragón, northeastern Spain. Fecal samples (<i>n</i> = 72) were collected from 10 breeding farms, encompassing various production stages (lactation, nursery, fattening, and/or wean-to-finish). Data regarding the type of production system (two- or three-stage), production stages, and farming facilities (the type of flooring and water source) associated with the parasite presence were also analyzed using a questionnaire. The results showed that <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. were more frequently detected in fecal samples originating from three-stage production systems (21.9%) compared to two-stage systems (12.5%). Samples from the fattening stage exhibited the highest positivity rate and estimated oocyst count (3.0 oocyst/microscopic field). Furthermore, the molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. revealed the circulation of multiple species both among farms and within the same pig production flow, with <i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i> being the most prevalent species (7/72; 9.7%), followed by <i>Cryptosporidium suis</i> (1/72; 1.4%). These findings underscore the importance of the surveillance and molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. for controlling infections in pigs, considering the potential for the zoonotic transmission of this parasite to humans. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-c4dbc03e4de34e66b8cef8e72c437935 |
| institution | DOAJ |
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| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-c4dbc03e4de34e66b8cef8e72c4379352025-08-20T02:47:20ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-07-0114766510.3390/pathogens14070665Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern SpainLaura Garza-Moreno0Celia León1Joaquín Quílez2Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainDepartment of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, SpainDepartment of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, University of Zaragoza, 50013 Zaragoza, Spain<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. are protozoan parasites that cause cryptosporidiosis, an enteric disease that can affect a wide range of vertebrate hosts. Pigs play a potential role in the transmission of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. to humans, although infections are most often subclinical. This study aimed to assess the occurrence and molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in swine farms located in Aragón, northeastern Spain. Fecal samples (<i>n</i> = 72) were collected from 10 breeding farms, encompassing various production stages (lactation, nursery, fattening, and/or wean-to-finish). Data regarding the type of production system (two- or three-stage), production stages, and farming facilities (the type of flooring and water source) associated with the parasite presence were also analyzed using a questionnaire. The results showed that <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. were more frequently detected in fecal samples originating from three-stage production systems (21.9%) compared to two-stage systems (12.5%). Samples from the fattening stage exhibited the highest positivity rate and estimated oocyst count (3.0 oocyst/microscopic field). Furthermore, the molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. revealed the circulation of multiple species both among farms and within the same pig production flow, with <i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i> being the most prevalent species (7/72; 9.7%), followed by <i>Cryptosporidium suis</i> (1/72; 1.4%). These findings underscore the importance of the surveillance and molecular characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. for controlling infections in pigs, considering the potential for the zoonotic transmission of this parasite to humans.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/665<i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp.pigs<i>Cryptosporidium suis</i><i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i>zoonosis |
| spellingShingle | Laura Garza-Moreno Celia León Joaquín Quílez Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain Pathogens <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. pigs <i>Cryptosporidium suis</i> <i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i> zoonosis |
| title | Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain |
| title_full | Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain |
| title_fullStr | Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain |
| title_full_unstemmed | Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain |
| title_short | Occurrence and Molecular Characterization of <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. in Swine Farms in Northeastern Spain |
| title_sort | occurrence and molecular characterization of i cryptosporidium i spp in swine farms in northeastern spain |
| topic | <i>Cryptosporidium</i> spp. pigs <i>Cryptosporidium suis</i> <i>Cryptosporidium scrofarum</i> zoonosis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/665 |
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