Quantitative Shedding of Two Genotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in California Ground Squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi )

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Abstract
Sixteen percent of California ground squirrels ( Spermophilus beecheyi ) were found to be shedding an average of 53,875 Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts/g of feces. Male squirrels had a higher prevalence and higher intensity of shedding than did female squirrels. The majority of C. parvum isolates matched a bovine-murine genotype, with a few isolates resembling a porcine genotype. Higher intensities of shedding by males may enhance dissemination and genotypic mixing of this protozoa given males' proclivity to disperse to nonnatal colonies.