Cryptosporidium in eastern grey kangaroos Macropus giganteus

M. L. Power*, M. B. Slade, S. R. Shanker, N. C. Sangster, D. A. Veal

*Corresponding author for this work

    Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

    2 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    This chapter illustrates the first epidemiological investigation of Cryptosporidium in a wild marsupial population. The molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in marsupial hosts is not well comprehended. Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in marsupials consists of the identification of the Cryptosporidium parvum "marsupial" genotype in a koala, a red kangaroo, and in captive yellow-footed rock wallabies. The eastern grey kangaroo is one of Australia's largest and most abundant species of kangaroo. With its distribution confined to Eastern Australia, the population density in New South Wales alone during the year 2000 was estimated to be 3.7 million. The presence of eastern grey kangaroos in water catchment areas and their likely contribution of fecal contamination to riparian zones highlight the importance of understanding the epidemiology of Cryptosporidium in this host. This study demonstrates that Cryptosporidium is present within this eastern grey kangaroo population all year and that prevalence varies with season, peaking during late summer to early autumn. The numbers of oocysts shed ranges from 10 to 2 X 107 oocysts/g feces with the majority of animals shedding < 1000 oocysts/g feces.

    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationCryptosporidium
    Subtitle of host publicationFrom molecules to disease
    EditorsR.C. Andrew Thompson, Anthony Armson, Una M. Ryan
    Place of PublicationAmsterdam
    PublisherElsevier
    Pages207-209
    Number of pages3
    ISBN (Electronic)9780080530109
    ISBN (Print)9780444513519, 0444513515
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 17 Dec 2003

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