Molecular Evidence of Cryptosporidiosis in Farmed Blue Foxes (Vulpes lagopus) and Raccoon Dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Heilongjiang, China

Abstract

Cryptosporidium, an important zoonotic protozoan, causes Cryptosporidiosis in humans as well as in animals. This study aimed to identify Cryptosporidiosis in farmed fur animals (Blue Fox and Raccoon Dogs). A total of 283 specimens (223 foxes, 60 Raccoon dogs) were screened through nested-PCR by targeting the actin gene. The results showed the overall prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 9.1% where the prevalence in foxes and raccoon dogs was 9.1% and 8.3%, respectively. The prevalence in males (15%) was significantly higher than that in females (5.7%). The findings of this study portrayed new knowledge that foxes and raccoon dogs are likely to play an important role in the spreading of this zoonosis.