Multilocus genetic analysis of Cryptosporidium parvum from Egypt.

Cryptosporidium parvum is a ubiquitous zonootic parasite causing enteritis in man and animals. Cryptosporidium infection was confirmed microscopically in neonatal calves (less than 6 weeks of age) at Kafr El Sheikh Province, Egypt. Multilocus analysis using a wide array of genetic markers was carried out to assess genetic diversity of C. parvum isolates. PCR amplification and partial sequence analysis of 70 kDa heat shock protein, dihydrofolate reductase, alpha-tubulin, elongation factor 1 alpha as well as thrombospondin-related anonymous protein of Cryptosporidium-1, and thrombospondin-related anonymous protein of Cryptosporidium-2 gene markers were achieved. Data indicated that the analyzed isolates belong to C. parvum genotype II with obvious sequence heterogeneity compared with counterparts deposited in Genebank.