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Appl. Environ. Microbiol. doi:10.1128/AEM.00809-08
Copyright (c) 2008, American Society for Microbiology and/or the Listed Authors/Institutions. All Rights Reserved.

Prevalence and genetic characterisation of Cryptosporidium from urban-adapted Common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Department of Biological Sciences, Macquarie University, North Ryde, NSW 2109, Australia

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: nhill{at}bio.mq.edu.au.

	Abstract

The Common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is one of the most abundant native marsupials in urban Australia, having successfully adapted to utilise anthropogenic resources. The habituation of possums to food and shelter available in human settlement has facilitated interaction with people, pets and zoo animals, increasing the potential for transmission of zoonotic Cryptosporidium. This study sought to examine the identity and prevalence of Cryptosporidium occurring in urban-adapted possums compared to possums inhabiting woodland remote from urbanisation, and characterise the health of the host in response to oocyst shedding. Findings indicated that both populations were shedding oocysts of the same genotype, ‘Brushtail Possum 1’ (BTP1) that was genetically and morphologically distinct from zoonotic species and genotypes, and most closely related to Cryptosporidium from marsupials. The urban population were shedding an additional 5 isolates of Cryptosporidium that were genetically distinct from BTP1 and formed a sister clade with C. parvum and C. hominis. Possums that were shedding oocysts showed no evidence of pathogenic changes including elevated white blood cells, diminished body condition or reduced nutritional state, suggesting a stable host-parasite relationship typical of Cryptosporidium species that are host-adapted. Overall, Cryptosporidium occurred with higher prevalence in possums from urban habitat (11.3%) than possums from woodland (5.6%) however the host-specific nature of the genotypes may limit spillover infection in the urban setting. This study determined that co-existence of possums with sympatric populations of humans, pets and zoo animals in the urban Australian environment is unlikely to present a threat to public health safety.