AOAC Annual Meeting_AIMS

Conclusions • The genus Cyclospora encompass 21 valid species and most of them cause infections in animals. • A large number of Eimeria species (over 130) has been described as pathogens of mammals, birds, reptiles and fish. • C. cayetanensis is the only species in this genus known to infect humans. • Despite the limitations the genetic databases contain enough information to allow reproducible phylogenetic analysis using genes such as 18SrRNA (sequences are not curated). • The phylogenetic relationship between the genus Cyclospora and Eimeria was established based on analysis of 18SrRNA gene as well as mitochondrial and apicoplast genomes. • It is expected that new species of the genus Cyclospora and Eimeria be described in the future causing direct implications on approaches used to detect C. cayetanensis in environmental samples.

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