Cryptosporidium oocysts

Cryptosporidium oocyst measurements
Supported by EPA grant #R825148-01-0
S.J. Upton, Kansas State University, & C.C. Dykstra, B.L. Blagburn, Auburn University

08 April 1999
Steve J. Upton
Comments: parasitology@ksu.edu
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EPA grant #R825148-01-0 was designed to obtain as many species and isolates of Cryptosporidium as possible, make gDNA libraries from the isolates whenever enough oocysts were obtained, and deposit the libraries in the American Type Culture Collection for dissemination. The project is ongoing. A portion of the project also involves measuring the oocysts using brightfield microscopy. All measurements provided below were taken by S.J. Upton, and are on viable oocysts using the same brightfield microscope equipped with Nomarski interference contrast optics, an Olympus SPlan 100x oil immersion lens, and an ocular micrometer carefully calibrated from a stage micrometer. Obviously, the wavelength of light does not technically allow for accurate representation of the means as 2 decimal places. However, I did it anyway. Measurements from new isolates will be continually added, and if you have Cryptosporidium spp. or isolates from hosts not listed then I would appreciate receiving samples.

Mammalian Cryptosporidium spp.

Cryptosporidium
species Oocyst L x W (range)
shape index (range); N Host species Comments

C. muris (108735) 8.76 x 6.32
(8.2-9.4 x 6.0-6.8)
1.39 (1.21-1.50); N=20 Mus musculus Originally isolated from rock hyrax from National Park Zoo, Virginia, 1993. 15th mouse passage, gDNA library ATCC 87666. Oocysts courtesy B.C. Anderson.

C. parvum (KSU-1)
(genotype 2) 5.2 x 4.6
(4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8)
1.16 (1.04-1.33); N=30 Bos taurus Bovine isolate from Bendena, KS in 1987. Continually passaged through cattle. gDNA library ATCC 87439; Tilley et al. 1991. Can. J. Microbiol. 37: 949-952.

C. parvum (KSU-1)
(genotype 2) 5.2 x 4.6
(4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8)
1.15 (1.04-1.22); N=30 Bos taurus Bovine isolate from Bendena, KS in 1987. Continually passaged through cattle. gDNA library ATCC 87439; Tilley et al. 1990. J. Zoo Wildlf. Med. 21: 463-467.

C. parvum (KSU-4)
(genotype 2) 5.15 x 4.45
(4.8-5.6 x 4.0-4.6)
1.16 (1.04-1.35); N=20 Bos taurus Calf isolate, Marshall Co., KS, 1999. Oocysts courtesy R.K. Ridley.

C. hominis ("Texas")
(genotype 1) 5.33 x 4.66
(4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8)
1.15 (1.08-1.23); N=20 Homo sapiens AIDS patient, Texas, 1998. Oocysts courtesy C.L. Chappell & P.C. Okhuysen.

C. parvum
(genotype 2) 5.17 x 4.46
(4.6-5.6 x 4.2-4.6)
1.16 (1.04-1.27); N=20 Canis familiaris Oocysts courtesy R. Fayer, USDA, 1999.

C. andersoni (KSU-3) 7.72 x 5.86
(7.2-8.2 x 5.6-6.4)
1.32 (1.13-1.46); N=20 Bos taurus Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." Kansas, 1999 (1 yr old beef steer originating in Idaho). Oocysts courtesy R.K. Ridely.

C. andersoni (VMTRC49) 7.99 x 6.24
(7.4-8.8 x 5.8-6.6)
1.28 (1.19-1.40); N=20 Bos taurus Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." California, 1998. Oocysts courtesy E.R. Atwill.

C. andersoni (VS1742) 8.38 x 6.19
(8.0-9.2 x 5.8-6.4)
1.35 (1.25-1.59); N=20 Bos taurus Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." 3.5 yr old cow, Idaho, 1996. gDNA library ATCC 87715. Oocysts courtesy B.C. Anderson.

C. wrairi 5.36 x 4.57
(4.8-5.6 x 4.0-5.0)
1.17 (1.04-1.33); N=30 Cavia porcellus Oocysts courtesy C.E. Chrisp; see Tilley et al. 1991. Can. J. Microbiol. 37: 949-952.

Avian Cryptosporidium spp.

Cryptosporidium
species Oocyst L x W (range)
shape index (range); N Host species Comments

C. baileyi 6.2 x 4.6
(5.6-6.3 x 4.5-4.8)
1.4 (1.2-1.4);
N=25 Gallus domesticus
(Galliformes) Current et al. 1986. J. Protozool. 33: 289-296.

C. sp. 8.03 x 6.39
(7.4-8.6 x 6.0-6.8)
1.26 (1.18-1.37); N=20 Ramphocelus carbo
(Passeriformes) National Aquarium in Baltimore, 1996.

Reptilian Cryptosporidium spp.

Cryptosporidium
species Oocyst L x W (range);
shape index (range); N Host species Comments

C. serpentis 6.36 x 5.51
(5.6-7.2 x 5.0-5.8)
1.15 (1.08-1.33); N=30 Corallus caninum
(Boidae) Oklahoma City Zoo, 1992

C. serpentis 6.15 x 5.29
(5.6-6.4 x 4.8-5.6)
1.17 (1.04-1.29); N=30 Elaphe obsoleta
lindemani
(Colubridae) Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. serpentis 6.17 x 5.33
(5.6-6.6 x 4.8-5.6)
1.16 (1.04-1.33); N=30 Elaphe obsoleta
quadrivittata
(Colubridae) Houston Zoo, 1990; Tilley et al. 1990. J. Zoo Wildlif. Med. 21: 463-467.

C. serpentis 6.18 x 5.25
(5.6-6.8 x 4.8-5.6)
1.18 (1.07-1.38); N=30 Lampropeltis triangulum
arcifera
(Colubridae) Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. serpentis 6.10 x 5.30
(5.6-6.6 x 4.8-5.6)
1.15 (1.08-1.33); N=30 Crotalus durissus
culminatus (E-692)
(Viperidae) Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. serpentis-like 6.28 x 5.45
(5.6-7.0 x 5.0-5.8)
1.15 (1.00-1.28); N=30 Hemidactylus turcicus
turcicus
(Gekkonidae) Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. serpentis-like 6.31 x 5.61
(5.6-6.8 x 5.2-6.2)
1.12 (1.00-1.23); N=30 Phelsuma madagascariensis
grandis
(Gekkonidae) Madagascar, 1987; cloacal development; Upton & Barnard, 1987, J. Protozool. 34: 452-454.

C. serpentis-like 6.61 x 5.65
(6.0-7.4 x 5.2-6.4)
1.17 (1.07-1.32); N=30 Lacerta lepida
(Lacertidae) Houston Zoo, 1990

C. serpentis-like 6.03 x 5.40
(5.6-6.4 x 4.8-6.0)
1.12 (1.00-1.23); N=30 Varanus exanthematicus
(Varanidae) Houston Zoo, 1988

C. serpentis-like 6.44 x 5.54
(5.6-7.2 x 5.0-6.0)
1.16 (1.07-1.32); N=30 Varanus exanthematicus
(Varanidae) Brookfield Zoo, 1990

C. sp. 5.78 x 5.05
(5.2-6.4 x 4.4-5.6)
1.15 (1.07-1.23); N=30 Agama planiceps
(Agamidae) Namibia, 1987; ; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. sp. 5.69 x 5.04
(5.2-6.4 x 4.8-5.4)
1.13 (1.04-1.28); N=30 Chamaeleo montium
(Chamaeleonidae) Cameroon, 1991

C. sp. 5.53 x 4.81
(5.2-5.8 x 4.4-5.2)
1.15 (1.04-1.27); N=30 Furcifer lateralis
(Chamaeleonidae) Madagascar, 1989

C. sp. 8.02 x 5.60
(7.2-8.8 x 5.0-6.2)
1.44 (1.29-1.69); N=30 Elaphe vulpina
vulpina
(Colubridae) Atlanta Zoo, 1987; very elongate oocysts; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. sp. 6.76 x 5.79
(6.4-7.2 x 5.6-6.6)
1.17 (1.06-1.29); N=30 Nerodia harteri
harteri
(Colubridae) Texas, 1987; very thin oocyst wall; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. sp. 6.32 x 5.55
(5.6-7.2 x 5.0-6.0)
1.14 (1.00-1.32); N=30 Nerodia rhombifer
rhombifer
(Colubridae) Texas, 1987; very thin oocyst wall; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.

C. sp. 6.11 x 5.08
(5.6-6.8 x 4.8-5.6)
1.20 (1.04-1.33); N=30 Lialis jicari
(Pygopodidae) Oklahoma City Zoological Park, 1993

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Mammalian Cryptosporidium spp.
Cryptosporidium species	Oocyst L x W (range) shape index (range); N	Host species	Comments
C. muris (108735)	8.76 x 6.32 (8.2-9.4 x 6.0-6.8) 1.39 (1.21-1.50); N=20	Mus musculus	Originally isolated from rock hyrax from National Park Zoo, Virginia, 1993. 15th mouse passage, gDNA library ATCC 87666. Oocysts courtesy B.C. Anderson.
C. parvum (KSU-1) (genotype 2)	5.2 x 4.6 (4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8) 1.16 (1.04-1.33); N=30	Bos taurus	Bovine isolate from Bendena, KS in 1987. Continually passaged through cattle. gDNA library ATCC 87439; Tilley et al. 1991. Can. J. Microbiol. 37: 949-952.
C. parvum (KSU-1) (genotype 2)	5.2 x 4.6 (4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8) 1.15 (1.04-1.22); N=30	Bos taurus	Bovine isolate from Bendena, KS in 1987. Continually passaged through cattle. gDNA library ATCC 87439; Tilley et al. 1990. J. Zoo Wildlf. Med. 21: 463-467.
C. parvum (KSU-4) (genotype 2)	5.15 x 4.45 (4.8-5.6 x 4.0-4.6) 1.16 (1.04-1.35); N=20	Bos taurus	Calf isolate, Marshall Co., KS, 1999. Oocysts courtesy R.K. Ridley.
C. hominis ("Texas") (genotype 1)	5.33 x 4.66 (4.8-5.6 x 4.2-4.8) 1.15 (1.08-1.23); N=20	Homo sapiens	AIDS patient, Texas, 1998. Oocysts courtesy C.L. Chappell & P.C. Okhuysen.
C. parvum (genotype 2)	5.17 x 4.46 (4.6-5.6 x 4.2-4.6) 1.16 (1.04-1.27); N=20	Canis familiaris	Oocysts courtesy R. Fayer, USDA, 1999.
C. andersoni (KSU-3)	7.72 x 5.86 (7.2-8.2 x 5.6-6.4) 1.32 (1.13-1.46); N=20	Bos taurus	Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." Kansas, 1999 (1 yr old beef steer originating in Idaho). Oocysts courtesy R.K. Ridely.
C. andersoni (VMTRC49)	7.99 x 6.24 (7.4-8.8 x 5.8-6.6) 1.28 (1.19-1.40); N=20	Bos taurus	Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." California, 1998. Oocysts courtesy E.R. Atwill.
C. andersoni (VS1742)	8.38 x 6.19 (8.0-9.2 x 5.8-6.4) 1.35 (1.25-1.59); N=20	Bos taurus	Abomasal species of adult cattle; often termed "C. muris-like." 3.5 yr old cow, Idaho, 1996. gDNA library ATCC 87715. Oocysts courtesy B.C. Anderson.
C. wrairi	5.36 x 4.57 (4.8-5.6 x 4.0-5.0) 1.17 (1.04-1.33); N=30	Cavia porcellus	Oocysts courtesy C.E. Chrisp; see Tilley et al. 1991. Can. J. Microbiol. 37: 949-952.
Avian Cryptosporidium spp.
Cryptosporidium species	Oocyst L x W (range) shape index (range); N	Host species	Comments
C. baileyi	6.2 x 4.6 (5.6-6.3 x 4.5-4.8) 1.4 (1.2-1.4); N=25	Gallus domesticus (Galliformes)	Current et al. 1986. J. Protozool. 33: 289-296.
C. sp.	8.03 x 6.39 (7.4-8.6 x 6.0-6.8) 1.26 (1.18-1.37); N=20	Ramphocelus carbo (Passeriformes)	National Aquarium in Baltimore, 1996.
Reptilian Cryptosporidium spp.
Cryptosporidium species	Oocyst L x W (range); shape index (range); N	Host species	Comments
C. serpentis	6.36 x 5.51 (5.6-7.2 x 5.0-5.8) 1.15 (1.08-1.33); N=30	Corallus caninum (Boidae)	Oklahoma City Zoo, 1992
C. serpentis	6.15 x 5.29 (5.6-6.4 x 4.8-5.6) 1.17 (1.04-1.29); N=30	Elaphe obsoleta lindemani (Colubridae)	Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. serpentis	6.17 x 5.33 (5.6-6.6 x 4.8-5.6) 1.16 (1.04-1.33); N=30	Elaphe obsoleta quadrivittata (Colubridae)	Houston Zoo, 1990; Tilley et al. 1990. J. Zoo Wildlif. Med. 21: 463-467.
C. serpentis	6.18 x 5.25 (5.6-6.8 x 4.8-5.6) 1.18 (1.07-1.38); N=30	Lampropeltis triangulum arcifera (Colubridae)	Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. serpentis	6.10 x 5.30 (5.6-6.6 x 4.8-5.6) 1.15 (1.08-1.33); N=30	Crotalus durissus culminatus (E-692) (Viperidae)	Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. serpentis-like	6.28 x 5.45 (5.6-7.0 x 5.0-5.8) 1.15 (1.00-1.28); N=30	Hemidactylus turcicus turcicus (Gekkonidae)	Houston Zoo, 1987; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. serpentis-like	6.31 x 5.61 (5.6-6.8 x 5.2-6.2) 1.12 (1.00-1.23); N=30	Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis (Gekkonidae)	Madagascar, 1987; cloacal development; Upton & Barnard, 1987, J. Protozool. 34: 452-454.
C. serpentis-like	6.61 x 5.65 (6.0-7.4 x 5.2-6.4) 1.17 (1.07-1.32); N=30	Lacerta lepida (Lacertidae)	Houston Zoo, 1990
C. serpentis-like	6.03 x 5.40 (5.6-6.4 x 4.8-6.0) 1.12 (1.00-1.23); N=30	Varanus exanthematicus (Varanidae)	Houston Zoo, 1988
C. serpentis-like	6.44 x 5.54 (5.6-7.2 x 5.0-6.0) 1.16 (1.07-1.32); N=30	Varanus exanthematicus (Varanidae)	Brookfield Zoo, 1990
C. sp.	5.78 x 5.05 (5.2-6.4 x 4.4-5.6) 1.15 (1.07-1.23); N=30	Agama planiceps (Agamidae)	Namibia, 1987; ; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. sp.	5.69 x 5.04 (5.2-6.4 x 4.8-5.4) 1.13 (1.04-1.28); N=30	Chamaeleo montium (Chamaeleonidae)	Cameroon, 1991
C. sp.	5.53 x 4.81 (5.2-5.8 x 4.4-5.2) 1.15 (1.04-1.27); N=30	Furcifer lateralis (Chamaeleonidae)	Madagascar, 1989
C. sp.	8.02 x 5.60 (7.2-8.8 x 5.0-6.2) 1.44 (1.29-1.69); N=30	Elaphe vulpina vulpina (Colubridae)	Atlanta Zoo, 1987; very elongate oocysts; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. sp.	6.76 x 5.79 (6.4-7.2 x 5.6-6.6) 1.17 (1.06-1.29); N=30	Nerodia harteri harteri (Colubridae)	Texas, 1987; very thin oocyst wall; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. sp.	6.32 x 5.55 (5.6-7.2 x 5.0-6.0) 1.14 (1.00-1.32); N=30	Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer (Colubridae)	Texas, 1987; very thin oocyst wall; Upton et al. 1989, J. Wildlf. Dis. 25: 20-30.
C. sp.	6.11 x 5.08 (5.6-6.8 x 4.8-5.6) 1.20 (1.04-1.33); N=30	Lialis jicari (Pygopodidae)	Oklahoma City Zoological Park, 1993