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Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a new host—cockateel (Nymphicus hollandicus) using molecular methods

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Abstract

A total of 123 avian faecal specimens randomly collected in Bohemian commercial aviaries, Zoo parks and countryside were screened for the presence of human pathogenic microsporidia by both calcofluor M2R staining and polymerase chain reaction. Of these, no positive sample was detected using microscopical examination, and one isolate was detected by polymerase chain reaction and identified as Encephalitozoon cuniculi. Cockateel (Nymphicus hollandicus) represents a new avian host of this microsporidian.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the grant of the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic project no. 524/05/0992 and project no. 523/07/P117 and by a research project of the Institute of Parasitology, BC ASCR, v.v.i. (Z60220518).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Biological Science, University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    D. Kašičková & O. Ditrich

  2. Institute of Parasitology, BC ASCR, v.v.i, Branišovská 31, 370 05, České Budějovice, Czech Republic

    B. Sak, M. Kváč & O. Ditrich

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  1. D. Kašičková
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  2. B. Sak
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  3. M. Kváč
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  4. O. Ditrich
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Correspondence to D. Kašičková.

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Kašičková, D., Sak, B., Kváč, M. et al. Detection of Encephalitozoon cuniculi in a new host—cockateel (Nymphicus hollandicus) using molecular methods. Parasitol Res 101, 1685–1688 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0720-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-007-0720-7

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