Korean J Parasitol.  2011 Dec;49(4):423-426. 10.3347/kjp.2011.49.4.423.

Comparison of Resistance to gamma-Irradiation between Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium muris Using In Vivo Infection

• Yoon S
• Yu JR

• KMID: 1715750
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3347/kjp.2011.49.4.423

Abstract

In the genus Cryptosporidium, there are more than 14 species with different sizes and habitats, as well as different hosts. Among these, C. parvum and C. hominis are known to be human pathogens. As C. parvum can survive exposure to harsh environmental conditions, including various disinfectants or high doses of radiation, it is considered to be an important environmental pathogen that may be a threat to human health. However, the resistance of other Cryptosporidium species to various environmental conditions is unknown. In this study, resistance against gamma-irradiation was compared between C. parvum and C. muris using in vivo infection in mice. The capability of C. muris to infect mice could be eliminated with 1,000 Gy of gamma-irradiation, while C. parvum remained infective in mice after up to 1,000 Gy of gamma-irradiation, although the peak number of oocysts per gram of feces decreased to 16% that of non-irradiated oocysts. The difference in radioresistance between these 2 Cryptosporidium species should be investigated by further studies.

Keyword

Cryptosporidium parvum; Cryptosporidium muris; mouse infectivity; radioresistance

MeSH Terms

Animals
Cryptosporidiosis/*parasitology/radiotherapy
Cryptosporidium/physiology/*radiation effects
Cryptosporidium parvum/physiology/*radiation effects
Feces/parasitology
Female
*Gamma Rays
Humans
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Oocysts/radiation effects
Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms