The homologous and interspecies transmission of Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium meleagridis.

Experimental infections have been performed in several mammals and birds to determine the host's specificity for Cryptosporidium parvum (of human and bovine origin) and for Cryptosporidium meleagridis (isolated from broiler chicken). The C. parvum infection (of human origin) was established also in calves (Bos taurus), lambs (Ovis aries), mice (Mus musculus), and rats (Ratus norvegicus), but not in broiler chickens (Gallus domestica). The C. parvum infection (of bovine origin), was achieved in calves, lambs, dogs (Canis familiaris), cats (Felis domesticus), rabbits (Orytolagus cuniculus), mice, rats, and guinea-pigs (Cavia porcelus) but not in broiler chickens. We have demonstrated that C. meleagridis can produce infection in broiler chickens and in 5 mammalian species (calves, pigs, rabbits, rats, mice) but not in guinea-pigs.