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Background <p><i>Cryptosporidium</i> is a globally prevalent parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of a large number of vertebrates. The <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. lizard genotype is found almost exclusively in geckos but has also been detected in a corn snake. In this study, the biology and genetic variability of the lizard genotype were investigated.</p> Methods <p>The genetic variability of the <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. lizard genotype was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing of the <i>SSU</i> rRNA, actin, <i>HSP70</i> and <i>COWP</i> genes. Its biological characteristics, including oocyst size, tissue tropism and associated pathology, were investigated using light microscopy, electron microscopy and histological techniques. Experimental infections were performed to assess host specificity and infectivity.</p> Results <p>Phylogenetic analysis of the target genes confirmed that the <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. lizard genotype is genetically distinct from other <i>Cryptosporidium</i> species. Experimental infections showed that chickens, mice and corn snakes were not susceptible to this genotype, as no infection was detected. In contrast, leopard geckos began to excrete oocysts between 6 and 8&#xa0;days post-infection, although they showed no clinical symptoms. Excretion of oocysts continued for over 200&#xa0;days. Oocysts isolated from naturally infected leopard and smooth knob-tailed geckos were morphometrically identical to those from experimentally infected leopard geckos and measured 5.89 × 4.79&#xa0;μm. The parasite mainly colonised the stomach, where the highest intensity of infection was observed, but was also found throughout the intestine and in the lungs.</p> Conclusions <p>Due to the distinct genetic differences, host range and tissue tropism, we propose the name <i>Cryptosporidium geckonae</i> n. sp. for this organism, which was previously referred to as <i>Cryptosporidium</i> sp. lizard genotype.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

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Cryptosporidium geckonae n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Cryptosporidiidae) in geckos

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月21日

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  • Veronika Zikmundová,
  • Nikola Holubová,
  • Jana Fenclová,
  • Bohumil Sak,
  • Michael Rost,
  • Agnieszka Gomułkiewicz,
  • Roman Konečný,
  • John McEvoy,
  • Lihua Xiao,
  • Martin Kváč

摘要

Background

Cryptosporidium is a globally prevalent parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of a large number of vertebrates. The Cryptosporidium sp. lizard genotype is found almost exclusively in geckos but has also been detected in a corn snake. In this study, the biology and genetic variability of the lizard genotype were investigated.

Methods

The genetic variability of the Cryptosporidium sp. lizard genotype was analysed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing of the SSU rRNA, actin, HSP70 and COWP genes. Its biological characteristics, including oocyst size, tissue tropism and associated pathology, were investigated using light microscopy, electron microscopy and histological techniques. Experimental infections were performed to assess host specificity and infectivity.

Results

Phylogenetic analysis of the target genes confirmed that the Cryptosporidium sp. lizard genotype is genetically distinct from other Cryptosporidium species. Experimental infections showed that chickens, mice and corn snakes were not susceptible to this genotype, as no infection was detected. In contrast, leopard geckos began to excrete oocysts between 6 and 8 days post-infection, although they showed no clinical symptoms. Excretion of oocysts continued for over 200 days. Oocysts isolated from naturally infected leopard and smooth knob-tailed geckos were morphometrically identical to those from experimentally infected leopard geckos and measured 5.89 × 4.79 μm. The parasite mainly colonised the stomach, where the highest intensity of infection was observed, but was also found throughout the intestine and in the lungs.

Conclusions

Due to the distinct genetic differences, host range and tissue tropism, we propose the name Cryptosporidium geckonae n. sp. for this organism, which was previously referred to as Cryptosporidium sp. lizard genotype.

Graphical Abstract