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Background: Illness-related costs experienced by tuberculosis patients produce a severe economic impact on households, especially poor families. Few studies have investigated the full costs, including direct and indirect costs, at the patient and household levels in south-east China. Methods: A case follow-up study was conducted in the Bao'an district of Shenzhen City, China. Eligible new and previously treated individuals with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) during January 1st 2013 to June 30th 2013 were enrolled. Medical and non-medical costs as well as income loss were calculated in diagnosis and treatment periods, respectively. Factors associated with costs due to TB diagnosis, treatment and TB care (diagnosis + treatment) were explored respectively with a linear regression model. Results: Of the total 514 TB patients enrolled, 95% were from the migrant population, and 65% were males, with a mean age of 32.25 (±10.11). The median costs due to TB diagnosis and TB treatment were 79 United States dollar (USD), 748USD (6.2897 China Yuan (CNY) = 1USD, 2013) per patient, respectively. The median costs due to TB care (diagnosis and treatment) per patient was 1218USD, corresponding to 26% of patients' annual income pre-illness. Those who visited more times to health facilities, hospitalized, received higher education, or occupied in national civil servant/services/retired staff might expense more before diagnosis. Costs due to TB treatment was significantly higher among migrant patients, sputum smear positive patients, and widowed/divorced population. Factors associated with less total costs were native patients, fewer times of visiting to health-care facilities and those with no hospitalization history due to TB. Conclusions: Although a free TB control policy is in force, patients with TB are still facing a heavy economic burden. More available interventions to reduce the financial burden on tuberculosis patients are urgently needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a parasite that infects humans and a wide range of other animals. The large migratory waterfowl, the whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus), travels through many cities during its migration and can spread parasites. Despite receiving increasing attention worldwide, there have been no reports of E. bieneusi infection occurring in C. cygnus. Therefore, this study aims to assess the prevalence and genetic characteristics of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus in Sanmenxia, China. Methods: Altogether, 467 fresh fecal samples were collected in the Swan Wetland Park in Sanmenxia, China. Genomic DNA was extracted from fresh fecal samples (n = 467) and E. bieneusi was identified by nested PCR amplification of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region. ITS-positive sequences were aligned and phylogenetically analyzed to determine the genotypes of E. bieneusi. Results: The overall prevalence of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus was 7.49% (35/467). Sequencing of the 35 positive samples revealed eight known genotypes (EbpA, EbpC, Henan-III, Henan-IV, BEB6, CD9, Peru6 and PtEb IX) and three novel genotypes (CSW1, CSW2 and CSW3). The phylogenetic tree constructed from the ITS sequences showed that seven genotypes (Peru6, EbpA, EbpC, Henan-III, CSW3, Henan-IV and CSW1) clustered within the zoonotic Group 1 while the remaining novel genotype CSW2 clustered within Group 5. Conclusions: To our knowledge, this is the first report of E. bieneusi in C. cygnus. Of public health significance, our results suggest that migratory C. cygnus might play an important role in the water-borne transmission of E. bieneusi. Effective strategies will be necessary to control E. bieneusi infection in C. cygnus, other animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two fungal isolates, F12‐20 and F3‐1, were collected from postharvest blueberry in China. By phylogenetic analysis with the nuclear ribosomal internal transcribed spacer region and morphological analyses, they were initially identified as Penicillium and Arthrinium sacchari (A. sacchari). The results showed that water‐soluble chitosan (WCS) and sulfonated chitosan (SCS) could significantly reduce the radial growth of fungal mycelia. The best concentrations were 0.25 and 16 g L–1 for WCS and 0.50 and 64 g L–1 for SCS against Penicillium sp. and A. sacchari, respectively. Importantly, SCS exhibited selective antifungal activity against Botrytis cinerea and A. sacchari. As different species of fungi may respond differently to fungicides, the findings of this study will provide a basis for the development of target‐specific pathogen control and will be useful in designing and implementing fungicide resistance management for control postharvest decay, thus extending the storage life of fresh blueberry. Practical application Experimental results obtained herein are useful for designing and implementing fungicide resistance management for control postharvest decay in blueberry to improve marketable fruit and extend the storage life of fresh blueberries. And sulfonated chitosan can be applied to the target‐specific pathogen control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Giardia duodenalis is a common protozoan that colonizes and reproduces in the small intestine, causing giardiasis. This parasite infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts, including humans, domestic animals and wildlife. It has been suggested that chinchillas ( Chinchilla lanigera ) kept as domestic pets are potential reservoirs for the zoonotic transmission of G. duodenalis . In this study, 140 chinchilla samples from four cities in China were examined to determine the prevalence of G. duodenalis . Thirty-eight (27.1%) chinchillas were found to be positive for G. duodenalis . The prevalence of infection was analyzed in relation to collection site, age and sex. Molecular characterization was also carried out on the 38 chinchilla samples to determine common genotypes. G. duodenalis assemblages A and B were identified in the chinchilla samples by analysis of the small subunit ribosomal RNA ( ssur RNA ) gene. Genotyping at the subtype level using multiple genes (glutamate dehydrogenase ( gdh ), triose phosphate isomerase ( tpi ) and β-giardin ( bg ) genes) determined that the majority of assemblage A isolate sequences were identical to subtype AI. Assemblage B isolates showed variability among the nucleotide sequences belonging to subtype BIV. This is the first report of G. duodenalis in chinchillas from China. As subtype AI and BIV are associated with human infection, G. duodenalis in chinchillas should be regarded as zoonotic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cryptosporidium and Enterocytozoon bieneusi are the most prevalent protist pathogens responsible for inducing human and animal diseases worldwide. The aim of the present work was to determine the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi in pet chinchillas in China. One hundred forty fecal samples were collected from four cities: Beijing, Zhengzhou, Anyang and Guiyang. They were then examined with PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) of Cryptosporidium spp. and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of the ribosomal RNA of E. bieneusi . The infection rates for Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi were 10.0% and 3.6%, respectively. Sequence analysis of SSU rRNA gene products identified two Cryptosporidium spp., Cryptosporidium ubiquitum (n = 13) and Cryptosporidium parvum (n = 1). Subtyping with the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene showed that all C. ubiquitum isolates belonged to zoonotic subtype family XIId, while the subtype of the C. parvum isolate could not be identified. Two E. bieneusi genotypes were identified in five samples, zoonotic genotypes BEB6 (n = 3) and D (n = 2). This is the first report of C. ubiquitum and C. parvum , and E. bieneusi in chinchillas. This result indicates that pet chinchillas may be a potential source of human infection with Cryptosporidium spp. and E. bieneusi . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emerging new variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) needs booster vaccination. We evaluated the long-term safety and immunogenicity of heterologous boosting with a SARS-CoV-2 messenger RNA vaccine SYS6006. A total of 1000 participants aged 18 years or more who had received two (Group A) or three (Group B) doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine were enrolled and vaccinated with one dose of SYS6006 which was designed based on the prototype spike protein and introduced mutation sites. Adverse events (AEs) through 30 days and serious AEs during the study were collected. Live-virus and pseudovirus neutralizing antibody (Nab), binding antibody (immunoglobulin G [IgG]) and cellular immunity were tested through 180 days. Solicited all, injection-site and systemic AEs were reported by 618 (61.8%), 498 (49.8%), and 386 (38.6%) participants, respectively. Most AEs were grade 1. The two groups had similar safety profile. No vaccination-related SAEs were reported. Robust wild-type (WT) live-virus Nab response was elicited with peak geometric mean titers (GMTs) of 3769.5 (Group A) and 5994.7 (Group B) on day 14, corresponding to 1602.5- and 290.8-fold increase versus baseline, respectively. The BA.5 live-virus Nab GMTs were 87.7 (Group A) and 93.2 (Group B) on day 14. All participants seroconverted for WT live-virus Nab. Robust pseudovirus Nab and IgG responses to wild type and BA.5 were also elicited. ELISpot assay showed robust cellular immune response, which was not obviously affected by virus variation. In conclusion, SYS6006 heterologous boosting demonstrated long-term good safety and immunogenicity in participants who had received two or three doses of SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccine., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

In this study, a rapid, simple and sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) method was developed and validated to simultaneously quantify abiraterone (ABI), a widely used anti-metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer drug, and its metabolites comprising Δ 4 -abiraterone (D4A), 3-keto-5α-abiraterone (5αA), abiraterone N-oxide (A-NO), abiraterone sulfate (A-Sul) and abiraterone N-oxide sulfate (A-NO-Sul) in human plasma. The analytes were extracted by protein precipitation with acetonitrile and ideal chromatographic separation was achieved on ACE-C18 column (2.1 × 50 mm, 5 µm) using a gradient elution. Triple Quad™ 6500 + mass spectrometer equipped with an electrospray ionization (ESI) source was used and the multiple reaction mode (MRM) was performed. In terms of method validation, good linearity was observed in preassigned validated concentration range for each analyte of interest. Both intra- and inter-batch accuracy was within the range of 87.6-113.8% for all analytes, while intra- and inter-batch precision was below 14.0%. Additionally, both low matrix effects and high recovery were obtained. All analytes remained stable in human plasma at room temperature for 4 h, on wet ice for 8 h, at - 80 °C for 42 d, over three freeze-thaw cycles and under auto-sampler temperature (4 °C) for 48 h post sample preparation. Subsequently, the validated LC-MS/MS method was applied for pharmacokinetic study in healthy Chinese volunteers following an oral dose of 250 mg abiraterone acetate tablet under fasted conditions. Our study for the first time reported the pharmacokinetic parameters of the ABI metabolites in Chinese subjects., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: SARS-CoV-2 has caused millions of deaths, and, since Aug 11, 2020, 20 intramuscular COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for use. We aimed to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of an aerosolised adenovirus type-5 vector-based COVID-19 vaccine (Ad5-nCoV) in adults without COVID-19 from China., Method: This was a randomised, single-centre, open-label, phase 1 trial done in Zhongnan Hospital (Wuhan, China), to evaluate the safety and immunogenicity of the Ad5-nCoV vaccine by aerosol inhalation in adults (≥18 years) seronegative for SARS-CoV-2. Breastfeeding or pregnant women and people with major chronic illnesses or history of allergies were excluded. Participants were enrolled and randomly assigned (1:1:1:1:1) into five groups to be vaccinated via intramuscular injection, aerosol inhalation, or both. Randomisation was stratified by sex and age (18-55 years or ≥56 years) using computer-generated randomisation sequences (block sizes of five). Only laboratory staff were masked to group assignment. The participants in the two aerosol groups received an initial high dose (2 × 10 10 viral particles; HDmu group) or low dose (1 × 10 10 viral particles; LDmu group) of Ad5-nCoV vaccine on day 0, followed by a booster on day 28. The mixed vaccination group received an initial intramuscular (5 × 10 10 viral particles) vaccine on day 0, followed by an aerosolised booster (2 × 10 10 viral particles) vaccine on day 28 (MIX group). The intramuscular groups received one dose (5 × 10 10 viral particles; 1Dim group) or two doses (10 × 10 10 viral particles; 2Dim group) of Ad5-nCoV on day 0. The primary safety outcome was adverse events 7 days after each vaccination, and the primary immunogenicity outcome was anti-SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor IgG antibody and SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody geometric mean titres at day 28 after last vaccination. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT04552366., Findings: Between Sept 28, 2020, and Sept 30, 2020, 230 individuals were screened for inclusion, of whom 130 (56%) participants were enrolled into the trial and randomly assigned into one of the five groups (26 participants per group). Within 7 days after vaccination, adverse events occurred in 18 (69%) in the HDmu group, 19 (73%) in the LDmu group, 19 (73%) in the MIX group, 19 (73%) in the 1Dim group, and 15 (58%) in the 2Dim group. The most common adverse events reported 7 days after the first or booster vaccine were fever (62 [48%] of 130 participants), fatigue (40 [31%] participants), and headache (46 [35%] participants). More adverse events were reported in participants who received intramuscular vaccination, including participants in the MIX group (49 [63%] of 78 participants), than those who received aerosol vaccine (13 [25%] of 52 participants) after the first vaccine vaccination. No serious adverse events were noted within 56 days after the first vaccine. At days 28 after last vaccination, geometric mean titres of SARS-CoV-2 neutralising antibody was 107 (95% CI 47-245) in the HDmu group, 105 (47-232) in the LDmu group, 396 (207-758) in the MIX group, 95 (61-147) in the 1Dim group, and 180 (113-288) in the 2Dim group. The geometric mean concentrations of receptor binding domain-binding IgG was 261 EU/mL (95% CI 121-563) in the HDmu group, 289 EU/mL (138-606) in the LDmu group, 2013 EU/mL (1180-3435) in the MIX group, 915 EU/mL (588-1423) in the 1Dim group, and 1190 EU/mL (776-1824) in the 2Dim group., Interpretation: Aerosolised Ad5-nCoV is well tolerated, and two doses of aerosolised Ad5-nCoV elicited neutralising antibody responses, similar to one dose of intramuscular injection. An aerosolised booster vaccination at 28 days after first intramuscular injection induced strong IgG and neutralising antibody responses. The efficacy and cost-effectiveness of aerosol vaccination should be evaluated in future studies., Funding: National Key Research and Development Programme of China and National Science and Technology Major Project., Translation: For the Chinese translation of the Summary see Supplementary Material., Competing Interests: Declaration of interests TZ, WS, JL are employees of CanSino Biologics. TZ has stock options in CanSino Biologics. All other authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To investigate the perceived-stigma level of COVID-19 patients in the early stage of the epidemic and analysed related factors and correlations that affected the stigma levels., Methods: The COVID-19 patients were selected using the convenience sampling method. Perceived-stigma level was evaluated using the Social Impact Scale (SIS). Frequency was used to describe the general information and disease investigation status of COVID-19 patients; mean and standard deviation were used for describing stigma levels, Wilcoxon signed-ranks test (nonparametric test) was applied for pairwise comparison. Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test for grade data, and Dwass-Steel-Critchlow-Fligner test for multiple comparative analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed, and statistically significant indicators in single-factor analysis were included to investigate the independent factors of stigma. The p<0.05 was considered statistically significant., Results: SIS score of the 122 COVID-19 patients averaged 57.37±9.99 points. There were statistically significant differences in perceived-stigma levels among patients of different ages (p = 0.008), occupation (p <0.001), marital status (p = 0.009), and disease severity (p = 0.020). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that age was the main influencing factor of stigma (p<0.05)., Conclusions: The overall perceived-stigma level of COVID-19 patients in the early stage of the epidemic was moderate. Younger, unmarried, and severely ill patients had a higher level of perceived-stigma, with age being the main factor. More attention should be given to the young COVID-19 patients., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Twenty-four fecal samples were collected from captive amur hedgehogs (Erinaceus amurensis) in Zhengzhou, China. Based on morphological and molecular analysis, the overall prevalence of Cystoisospora was 62.5% (15/24). These samples contained two types of coccidian oocysts, including C. rastegaievae (50.0%, 12/24) and a new species named C. yuensis n. sp. (12.5%, 3/24). Sporulated oocysts (n = 30) of C. yuensis n. sp. are ovoid, (20.6 ± 1.4) μm × (20.9 ± 0.9) μm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.0 and a smooth and bi-layered oocyst wall, 1.3 μm thick (outer layer 0.8 μm, inner 0.5 μm). A polar granule is present, but micropyle cap, micropyle, and oocyst residuum are absent. The sporocysts are ovoid-shaped, (9.3 ± 0.6) μm × (8.5 ± 1.1) μm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.1. Stieda, substieda bodies, and refractile bodies are absent. Residuum is scattered and distributed around the entire sporocysts. At the 18S rRNA locus, C. yuensis n. sp. exhibited the highest identity to C. timoni (99.3%) from a slender-tailed meerkat. It has 98.0% identity at the 28S rRNA locus and 99.3% at the ITS locus. Based on morphological and molecular data, this isolate is a new species of Cystoisospora. Additionally, we have provided data on the prevalence of C. rastegaievae in China and sequences of the 18S rRNS, 28S rRNA, and ITS loci.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are important zoonotic pathogens infecting a wide range of vertebrate hosts, and causing moderate to severe diarrhea in humans. Cryptosporidium infections are frequently reported in humans and animals worldwide, but little research has been done on local pig breeds such as Tibetan pigs and Yunan Black pigs and imported pig breeds such as Landrace pigs in China. Therefore, a total of 1089 pig fecal samples from four intensive farms in four areas of China, including Tibetan pigs from Gongbujiangda County (n = 180) and Mainling County (n = 434), Tibet, Yunan Black pigs from Sanmenxia, Henan Province (n = 246), and Landrace pigs from Kaifeng, Henan Province (n = 229), and were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium with microscopy and nested PCR amplification of the small subunit rRNA gene., Results: The total infection rate of Cryptosporidium in 1089 fecal samples of three different pig breeds was 2.11% (23/1089), and the infection rates of Tibetan pigs, Yunan Black pigs, and Landrace pigs were 0.49% (3/614), 0.41% (1/246), and 8.30% (19/229), respectively. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was significantly higher in weaned piglets (1-2 months) (4.36%, 21/482) than in younger and older age groups (p < 0.01). Sequence analysis of positive samples revealed that there was no mixed infection in our study population, which included 12 cases of C. suis mono-infections (52.17%, 12/23) and 11 cases of C. scrofarum mono-infections (47.83%, 11/23). C. suis was identified in one pre-weaned piglet (< 1 month) and 11 weaned piglets (1-2 months), while C. scrofarum was only detected in 10 weaned piglets (1-2 months) and one finished pig (> 2 months)., Conclusions: This is the first report on the identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in Tibetan pigs, and our findings also elucidate the occurrence and distribution of Cryptosporidium in three different pig breeds in Tibet and Henan, China. More molecular epidemiological studies are required to better clarify the prevalence and public health significance of Cryptosporidium in different pigs.

Background: Enterocytozoon bieneusi is the most frequently diagnosed microsporidian species in humans and a wide range of animals. This study was conducted to assess the prevalence and molecular characteristics of E. bieneusi in dairy cattle in Henan Province of central China and the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region of northwest China., Findings: Of 879 fresh fecal specimens, 24.3 % (214/879) tested positive for E. bieneusi by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the internal transcriber spacer (ITS) gene. The highest infection rate, 46.8 % (51/109, P < 0.0001), was observed in a group of dairy cattle with diarrhea, located in Ningxia. The age groups with higher infection rates were pre-weaned calves (29.3 %, 127/434, P < 0.0001) and post-weaned calves (23.9 %, 63/264, P = 0.006). Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis revealed 20 E. bieneusi ITS genotypes (15 known and five new), including members of Group 1 and Group 2. Genotypes I and J were detected in 64.5 % (138/214) of the E. bieneusi positive specimens., Conclusions: Genotypes I and J were the dominant genotypes in dairy cattle in the present study. The detection of zoonotic genotypes of E. bieneusi in dairy farms indicates that cattle may play an important role as a reservoir host for zoonotic infections.

Enterocytozoon bieneusi is a zoonotic pathogen of the phylum Microspora that infects humans as well as a variety of animal species worldwide. While molecular epidemiologic studies have characterized this parasite in various hosts, isolates from many susceptible hosts have not yet been examined. In this study, E. bieneusi was isolated from 47 Pere David's deer (Elaphurus davidianus) in Henan, China and characterized via PCR analysis of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) gene. E. bieneusi was detected in 16 out of 47 (34.0%) fecal specimens examined. Sequence analysis of the ITS revealed six known genotypes: type IV (4), EbpC (4), EbpA (4), BEB6 (2), COS-I (1), and COS-II (1). Of these, type IV, EbpC, and EbpA are known to cause human microsporidiosis worldwide, whereas the remaining genotypes are generally specific to ruminants. The present study indicated that Pere David's deer are naturally infected with E. bieneusi, predominantly with zoonotic genotypes, and may pose a risk for human transmission., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important causes of diarrheal diseases in humans and animals worldwide, and there is an increased interest in the role of animals in the mechanical transmission of these protozoa. To examine the role of yaks in this process, we examined the occurrence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis in yaks in western China., Results: A total of 545 fecal specimens were collected from yaks from nine different counties in the central western region of China. The prevalence for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 4.0 % (22/545) and 6.0 % (16/545), respectively. Mixed infections of Cryptosporidium and G. duodenalis were also detected in four specimens. The prevalence of both protozoa differed significantly between some age groups, with higher rates of infection in animals < 1 year old. Sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA (SSU rRNA) gene of the Cryptosporidium isolates identified the species as C. parvum (n = 12), C. bovis (n = 6), C. ryanae (n = 3), and C. ubiquitum (n = 1). Genotyping based on 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene from five C. parvum isolates identified all as IId with three isolates identified as IIdA15G1, one as IIdA18G1, and one as IIdA19G1. One C. ubiquitum isolate was identified as subtype VIIa. Amongst the G. duodenalis isolates, 16 were identified as assemblage E at the SSU rRNA gene. Four novel glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) subtypes and two triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) subtypes were found amongst the G. duodenalis assemblage E isolates., Conclusions: The presence of C. parvum subtype IIdA15G1, IIdA18G1, and IIdA19G1 isolates further confirms the dominance of the C. parvum IId subtypes in China. These findings also indicate that yaks may be a source of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infection, and this is the first report of G. duodenalis in yaks. The data presented here provides the basis for further genotyping or subtyping studies of G. duodenalis in yaks.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are important gastrointestinal protists in humans and animals worldwide. In China, bovine cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis are of increasing concern because cattle are important reservoirs of these parasites, which have become potential threats to public health and to large numbers of cattle in recent years., Results: A total of 1366 fecal samples from the Ningxia Autonomous Region were examined. The overall infection rates for Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were 1.61% and 2.12%, respectively. Cryptosporidium was only detected in preweaned calves and adults older than 2 years, whereas G. duodenalis was only detected in calves aged less than 11 months. Cryptosporidium spp. were characterized with a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and DNA sequence analysis of the small subunit rRNA gene. Three Cryptosporidium species were identified: C. parvum (n = 15) and C. bovis (n = 4) in preweaned calves, and C. andersoni (n = 4) in adults aged over 2 years. A DNA sequence analysis of the gp60 gene suggested that the 15 C. parvum isolates all belonged to subtype IIdA15G1. Twenty-nine G. duodenalis isolates were analyzed by DNA sequencing of the triosephosphate isomerase (tpi) and glutamate dehydrogenase (gdh) genes. Two G. duodenalis assemblages were identified, assemblages E (n = 15) and B (n = 4, one subtype B1 and three subtype B2) in preweaned calves, and assemblage E (n = 10) in 3-11-month-old calves., Conclusions: The predominance of C. parvum detected in preweaned calves and the first identified subtype IIdA15G1 in dairy cattle, and the dominant G. duodenalis assemblage E in this study differed considerably from those found in Henan, Heilongjiang, and Shannxi Provinces. Our findings further confirm the dominance of C. parvum IId subtypes in China.

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic parasites responsible for diarrhoeal diseases in animals and humans worldwide. Cattle are the most common mammalian species in which Cryptosporidium is detected, with pre-weaned calves considered to be reservoirs for zoonotic C. parvum. In October 2013, severe diarrhoea was observed in 396 pre-weaned calves at a farm in the Ningxia Autonomous Region of Northwestern China. 356 of the infected calves died despite antibiotic therapy., Findings: 252 faecal samples were collected from the investigated farm. The identity of Cryptosporidium species was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis, and by DNA sequence analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. C. parvum was subtyped using sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. The highest infection rate of 83.3% (40/48) was seen in 2-3-week-old calves with diarrhoea, corresponding to the age at which animals died. Three Cryptosporidium species were identified, including C. parvum (n = 51), C. bovis (n = 1), and C. ryanae (n = 1). All C. parvum isolates were further identified as subtype IIdA15G1., Conclusions: Cryptosporidium parvum was likely to be most responsible for diarrhoea and death. This is the first report of a cryptosporidiosis outbreak caused by C. parvum IIdA15G1 in Chinese dairy cattle.

To estimate the prevalence and public health significance of cryptosporidiosis in goats in China, 1265 fecal samples from seven farms in Henan province and Chongqing city were examined for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The overall infection rate of Cryptosporidium spp. was 3.48% (44/1256). Significant difference was observed among age groups, with the post weaned kids having the highest infection rate (4.58%; ρ<0.01). Cryptosporidium spp. were characterized by PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and DNA sequence analysis of the small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. The SSU rRNA-based PCR identified three Cryptosporidium species, including Cryptosporidium ubiquitum (24/44) in Henan and Chongqing, and Cryptosporidium andersoni (16/44) and Cryptosporidium xiaoi (4/44) in Henan. Among which, the C. ubiquitum and C. andersoni were first identified in goats thus far and were found in all age groups except no C. andersoni being found in the postparturition nannies, whereas the C. xiaoi was detected in pre-weaned kids and pregnant nannies. Subtyping C. ubiquitum by DNA sequence analysis of the 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene suggested the isolates identified all belonged to zoonotic XIIa subtype 2. Thus, the dominant C. ubiquitum found in this study and the XIIa subtype 2 has been found in humans indicated goats are a potential source for zoonotic infections with the C. ubiquitum. More studies are needed for better understanding of differences in the transmission and public health significance of cryptosporidiosis in goats., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)