Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Molecular Identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in Patients Living with HIV / AIDS in Honduras

Version 1 : Received: 3 February 2021 / Approved: 4 February 2021 / Online: 4 February 2021 (14:42:28 CET)

A peer-reviewed article of this Preprint also exists.

Betancourth, S.; Archaga, O.; Moncada, W.; Rodríguez, V.; Fontecha, G. First Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Patients Living with HIV in Honduras. Pathogens 2021, 10, 336. Betancourth, S.; Archaga, O.; Moncada, W.; Rodríguez, V.; Fontecha, G. First Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Patients Living with HIV in Honduras. Pathogens 2021, 10, 336.

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is one of the most important causes of gastroenteritis in the world, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It is caused by the Apicomplexan parasite Cryptosporidium spp., and mainly affects children and immunosuppressed people, in whom it can pose a serious risk to their health, or even be life-threatening. In Honduras there are no data on parasite species or on molecular diversity or Cryptosporidium subtypes. Therefore, a cross-sectional study was conducted between September 2019 and March 2020 for the molecular identification of Cryptosporidium spp. in 102 patients living with HIV who attended a national hospital in Tegucigalpa. Stool samples were analysed by direct microscopy, acid-fast stained smears, and a rapid lateral flow immunochromatographic test. All samples that tested positive were molecularly analyzed to identify the species and subtype of the parasite using three different markers: gp60, cowp, and 18Sr. PCR products were also sequenced. Four out of 102 samples (3.92%) were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum, and all were assigned to subtype IIa. These findings suggest a possible zoonotic transmission in this population.

Keywords

Cryptosporidium spp; C. parvum; gp60; 18S ribosomal; cowp; HIV / AIDS; Honduras

Subject

Biology and Life Sciences, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

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