Molecular and phylogenetic analysis of Cryptosporidium muris from various hosts.

Isolates of Cryptosporidium muris and C. serpentis were characterized from different hosts using nucleotide sequence analysis of the rDNA 18S and ITS1 regions, and the heat-shock (HSP-70) gene. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed preliminary evidence that C. muris is not a uniform species. Two distinct genotypes were identified within C. muris; (1) C. muris genotype A; comprising bovine and camel isolates of C. muris from different geographical locations, and (2) C. muris genotype B comprising C. muris isolates from mice, a hamster, a rock hyrax and a camel from the same enclosure. These 2 genotypes may represent separate species but further biological and molecular studies are required for confirmation.