Gharekhani Jamal, Heidari Heidar, Youssefi Mohammadreza
Department of Parasitology, Central Veterinary Laboratory, Iranian Veterinary Organization, Hamedan, Iran.
Turkiye Parazitol Derg. 2014;38(1):22-5. doi: 10.5152/tpd.2014.3224.
Cryptosporidium is an important zoonotic parasite in humans and animals worldwide. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in Iran.
Fecal samples (n=1.749) were collected randomly in asymptomatic sheep from different rural regions of Iran in 2011 to 2012. All samples were examined by using the cold modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique.
Oocysts of Cryptosporidium was found in 11.3% (198/1749) of samples (9.8 < CI 95% < 12.8). There was a statistical differences among Cryptosporidium infection, age groups (p < 0.0001), and gender (p=0.02).
This study is the first report of Cryptosporidium infection in sheep in different regions of Iran. Therefore, further comprehensive molecular studies in sheep to identify the source of contaminations (animals or humans) and designing control strategies is highly recommended.
隐孢子虫是一种在全球范围内对人类和动物都很重要的人畜共患寄生虫。本研究旨在调查伊朗隐孢子虫感染的流行情况。
2011年至2012年期间，从伊朗不同农村地区的无症状绵羊中随机采集粪便样本（n = 1749）。所有样本均采用冷改良齐-尼氏染色技术进行检查。
在11.3%（198/1749）的样本中发现了隐孢子虫卵囊（9.8 < 95%置信区间 < 12.8）。隐孢子虫感染在年龄组（p < 0.0001）和性别（p = 0.02）之间存在统计学差异。
本研究是伊朗不同地区绵羊隐孢子虫感染的首次报告。因此，强烈建议对绵羊进行进一步全面的分子研究，以确定污染源（动物或人类）并制定控制策略。
