The population structure of the Cryptosporidium parvum population in Scotland: a complex picture

Infect Genet Evol. 2008 Mar;8(2):121-9. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2007.10.010. Epub 2007 Nov 9.

Abstract

We genotyped 297 Scottish C. parvum samples using micro- and minisatellites. Treated as a single population, the population structure was epidemic. When regional populations were analysed, there was evidence of sub-population structure variations. This was dependent upon excluding sub-groups exhibiting significant genetic distance from the main population, implying genetic sub-structuring. We tested the hypothesis that these sub-groups originated outside the UK and demonstrated that one sub-group clustered with Peruvian samples. A geographically comprehensive panel of isolates would fully confirm this result. These data indicate limited sub-structuring within a small geographical area, but substantial sub-structuring over larger geographical distances. Host movement influences parasite diversity and population structure, evidenced by strong correlation (r(2) = 0.9686) between cattle movements and parasite diversity. Thus, the population structure of C. parvum is complex, with sub-populations differing in structure and being influenced by host movements, including the introduction of novel multilocus genotypes from geographically distinct regions.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology*
  • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
  • Cryptosporidium parvum / genetics*
  • DNA, Protozoan / analysis
  • Gene Frequency
  • Genetic Drift
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Variation
  • Genetics, Population*
  • Genotype
  • Geography
  • Humans
  • Linkage Disequilibrium
  • Minisatellite Repeats / genetics
  • Movement
  • Phylogeny
  • Scotland / epidemiology

Substances

  • DNA, Protozoan
  • Genetic Markers