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Conference Agenda

Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).

Daily Overview

Session

CP23.1: Zoonoses & One Health 2 - 10 min talks
Location: Lecture Theatre 3
Session Chair: Catherine Gordon, QIMR Berghofer
Session Chair: Fasil Shiferaw, QIMR Berghofer

Presentation 3

Uncovering zoonotic protozoa in pigs: molecular epidemiology of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in Victoria, Australia

Jianuo（Gavin} Xu, Anson V. Koehler, Ghazanfar Abbas, Robin B. Gasser, Abdul Jabbar

Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Science, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis are globally significant enteric protozoa affecting livestock health, productivity and public health through their zoonotic potential. In pigs, these infections can impair growth performance and welfare, yet molecular epidemiological data in Australian production systems remain limited. This study aimed to determine the prevalence, distribution and genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis in pigs across Victoria. A cross-sectional survey was conducted using 626 faecal samples collected from pigs of different age groups across 69 commercial farms. Samples were screened using nested PCR, and amplicons were subjected to Sanger sequencing. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted to identify species, assemblages/subtypes and determine their genetic relationships. Preliminary findings have identified Cryptosporidium scrofarum, C. suis and the zoonotic species C. ubiquitum, as well as G. duodenalis assemblages A and E. These results indicate the presence of both host-adapted and zoonotic genotypes in Victorian pig populations. This study will generate the first comprehensive molecular epidemiological dataset for these protozoa in Victorian pigs, providing critical insights into infection dynamics and zoonotic risk. The findings will inform evidence-based parasite control, strengthen biosecurity strategies and support sustainable productivity in the Australian pork industry.