Fatal cryptosporidiosis in a juvenile captive African hedgehog (Ateletrix albiventris)

Fatal intestinal cryptosporidiosis of unknown source and unexplained epizootiology is reported in a neonatal captive African hedgehog (Ateletrix albiventris) and for the first time in a hedgehog species. The infection, confined to ileum, jejunum, and colon, was ex- tremely severe in the lower jejunum where over 75% of the epithelial cells harbored the pathogen. The ileum and the jejunum displayed mod- erate and severe villus atrophy and mucosal hyperplasia. Lamina propria and mucosa were infiltrated by eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macro- phages. Developmental stages of Cryptosporidium sp. produced a pos- itive reaction with immunofluorescent antibody for detection of the hu- man pathogen, Cryptosporidium parvum. Personnel of captive centers with hedgehogs should be alerted and undertake appropriate precautions to prevent zoonotic transmission. Commercially offered hedgehog-pets may pose a risk for Cryptosporidium infection for human immunode- ficiency virus-infected people.