is a known foodborne pathogen, ranked fifth out of 24 among foodborne parasites in terms of importance and a cause of many cryptosporidiosis outbreaks worldwide. In France, very few outbreaks were reported before 2017, and data recently obtained by the Expert Laboratory of the Cryptosporidiosis National Reference Center (CNR-LE-Cryptosporidiosis) have shown that outbreaks are in fact common and frequently underreported. In this work, we aim to report the characteristics of outbreaks detected in France during the period 2017-2020 and present a summary of investigations carried out by the CNR-LE-Cryptosporidiosis. During the study period, there were eleven cryptosporidiosis outbreaks, including three with no identified origin. Among the eight identified outbreaks: six were due to water contamination (five tap water and one recreational water), one was due to direct contact with infected calves, and one was due to consumption of contaminated curd cheese. Among these outbreaks, five of them exceeded one hundred cases. Recent results obtained by the CNR-LE-Cryptosporidiosis revealed the multiannual occurrence of
e11082 Background: Evidence is emerging that cancer and treatments can induce cognitive impairments such as deficits of visual and spatial memories, and of psychomotor processing speed, now referred to as chemofog of chemobrain. Thus, the objective of the current project is to explore the direct impact of chemotherapy on cognitive disorders among elderly patients with treatment for a breast or colon cancer by means of animal mice models. Methods: We investigated long-term behavioral effects of a chronic administration of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) or a combination of 5-FU/oxaliplatin in young and aged mice. Results: 5-FU alone or in combination with oxaliplatin, neither altered anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors, nor spatial learning and memory performances, in young or aged mice. However, compared to saline, the 5-FU-treated mice were impaired in the cognitive flexibility-dependant task in the Morris water-maze test, and exhibited a more pronounced preference for the novel object in the object recognition test, suggesting a hyper-reactivity to novelty. Coadministration of glucose with 5-FU alone or in combination with oxaliplatin, protected animals against chemotherapy-evoked cognitive function impairments. In order to assess the direct neurotoxic role of chemotherapy on cell brain plasticity, neural stem cell (NSC) culture were incubated with increasing concentrations of 5-FU and oxaliplatin, in the absence or presence of glucose or insulin. Preliminary data showed that chemotherapy provoked a dose-dependent decrease of NSC survival, and that insulin counteracted this negative effect. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that 5-FU-treated animals are impaired in term of behavioral flexibility whatever the age, as a consequence of substantially reduced number of adult generated hippocampal neurons. The neuroprotective role of blood glucose or glucose-induced insulin levels opens new clinical perspectives in the modality of chemotherapy administration. No significant financial relationships to disclose.
The estimated prevalence rate of adults living with HIV infection in MENA is one of the lowest in the world. To date, no data on the genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium isolates from HIV/AIDS patients in Algeria were available. This study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium species and subtype families prevalent in Algerian HIV-infected patients and contribute to the molecular epidemiology mapping of Cryptosporidium in the MENA region. A total of 350 faecal specimens from HIV/AIDS patients were analysed using microscopy, and a Cryptosporidium infection was identified from 33 samples, with 22 isolates successfully sequencing and confirming species and subtypes. Based on sequence analysis, 15 isolates were identified as C. parvum with family subtypes IIa (n = 7) and IId (n = 8), while five were identified as C. hominis (family subtypes Ia (n = 2) and Ib (n = 3)) and two as C. felis. The C. parvum subtype families IIa and IId predominated, suggesting potential zoonotic transmission. More extensive sampling of both humans and farm animals, especially sheep, goats and calves, as well as a collection of epidemiological data are needed for a better understanding of the sources of human C. parvum infections in Algeria.
Data on the distribution and genotype of Cryptosporidium species is limited in Ethiopia. This study examined the presence and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium species circulating in Ethiopian human population. Stool samples collected from patients who visited rural (n = 94) and urban (n = 93) health centers in Wurgissa and Hawassa district, respectively, were examined for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. using microscopy, nested PCR and real-time PCR. To detect infection with PCR, analysis of 18S ribosomal RNA was performed. Subtyping was performed by sequencing a fragment of GP60 gene. The overall prevalence of infection was 46% (n = 86) by microscope and PCR. When 48 (out of 86) PCR positive samples were genotyped, two species were identified: C. parvum (n = 40) and C. hominis (n = 8). When 15 of the 40 C. parvum isolates were subtyped, zoonotic subtypes of IIaA14G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA15G2R1 (n = 1), IIaA16G1R1 (n = 2), IIaA16G3R1 (n = 2), IIaA17G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA19G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA20G1R1 (n = 3), IIaA22G1R1 (n = 1), IIaA22G2R1 (n = 1), IIdA23G1 (n = 1) and IIdA24G1 (n = 1) were identified. When 6 of the 8 C. hominis isolates were subtyped, subtypes IaA20 (n = 5), and IdA21(n = 1) were identified. This study suggests that C. parvum and C. hominis are causes of cryptosporidiosis in human in the Wurgissa district and Hawassa in Ethiopia. Zoonotic transmission might be the main route of transmission.
Abstract Background Cryptosporidium is a significant cause of chronic diarrhoea and death in HIV-infected patients. Although HIV-infected patients under HAART have currently reduced risk of suffering from opportunistic infections, opportunistic gastrointestinal infections such as cryptosporidiosis still occur. Currently, there are no data on genetic characteristics of Cryptosporidium isolates from cryptosporidiosis patients in Algeria. This study was aimed at identifying Cryptosporidium species and subtype families prevalent in Algerian HIV-infected patients and contributing to the molecular epidemiology mapping of Cryptosporidium in the MENA region. Methods From 2016 to 2018, 350 faecal specimens were obtained from patients with an HIV/AIDS positive status associated with diarrhoea attending inpatient (hospitalisation) and outpatient care units of El Hadi Flici (ex El- Kettar) hospital, Alger city, Algeria, and screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium using microscopy. Positive samples were submitted to the “Centre National de Référence-Laboratoire Expert-Cryptosporidioses”, Rouen University Hospital, France, for molecular analysis (species, genotype) by DNA sequencing of the SSU18S rRNA and Gp60 genes, respectively. Results Out of 350 samples, 33 (9.4%) were microscopically positive for Cryptosporidium spp. of which 22 isolates were successfully amplified at the 18S rRNA and gp60 loci. Based on sequence analysis: 15 isolates were identified as C. parvum with family subtypes IIa-7, and IId-8, while 5 were identified as C. hominis (family subtypes Ia-2 and Ib-3) and 2 as C. felis . Conclusion The predominance of C. parvum subtype families IIa and IId in this study highlights the potential importance of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis transmission to Algerian HIV-positive subjects. More extensive sampling of both humans and farm animals, especially sheep, goats and calves, and collection of epidemiological data are needed for better understanding of the sources of human C. parvum infections in Algeria. Author summary Cryptosporidiosis, an opportunistic infection, still represents a severe threat for HIV-infected individuals. Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium hominis are the leading cause of human cryptosporidiosis. Besides, other species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium might infect both immunocompetent and immunocompromised subjects. In Algeria, no study has been conducted until now on the prevalence and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium -infection among HIV-infected individuals. Thus, this study aimed to examine the distribution and molecular characteristics of Cryptosporidium spp—isolates to provide clues to the understanding of transmission dynamics of species and genotypes to Algerian HIV-infected patients. Of 350 faeces samples, 33 were microscopy-positive for Cryptosporidium and molecular characterisation obtained for 22 isolates resulted in the identification of C. hominis, C. parvum , and C. felis . The frequent occurrence of the zoonotic IIa and IId subtype families of C. parvum was suggestive of widespread zoonotic transmission of cryptosporidiosis in Algeria, and warrants further extensive molecular epidemiological studies in both human and animal populations.
Non-Human Primates (NHPs) harbor Cryptosporidium genotypes that can infect humans and vice versa. NHPs Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza and humans have overlapping territories in some regions of Ethiopia, which may increase the risk of zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium . This cross-sectional study examined the molecular prevalence and subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp . from 185 fecal samples of Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza in rural and urban areas in Ethiopia. Samples were tested for Cryptosporidium infection using nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and subtypes were determined by sequencing a fragment of the 60-kDa glycoprotein gene (gp60). Of the 185 samples, fifty-one (27.56%) tested positive for Cryptosporidium infection. The species detected were C . parvum (n = 34), C . hominis (n = 12), and C . cuniculus (n = 3). Mixed infection with C . parvum and C . hominis were detected in 2 samples. Four C . hominis family subtypes (Ia, Ib, Id, and Ie) and one C . parvum family subtype (IIa) were identified. C . hominis IaA20 (n = 7) and C . parvum IIaA17G1R1 (n = 6) were the most prevalent subtypes detected. These results confirm that Chlorocebus aethiops and Colobus guereza can be infected with diverse C . parvum and C . hominis subtypes that can also potentially infect humans. Additional studies could help to understand the role of NHPs in the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium in Ethiopia.
