Zoonoses Research Center, Research Institute for Health Development, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran.
Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
J Parasitol. 2020 Aug 1;106(4):464-470. doi: 10.1645/18-99.
Cryptosporidium species and microsporidia, which can cause zoonotic intestinal infections in humans, have become an emerging public health concern. It seems that the identification and genotyping of these parasites are necessary for the prevention, control, and establishment of appropriate treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the distribution and zoonotic transmission routes of Cryptosporidium species and microsporidia to humans referred to medical laboratories of Kurdistan Province, Iran. A total of 1,383 stool samples were collected and investigated. Cryptosporidium spp. and microsporidia were detected using microscopic methods (i.e., formol-ether concentration, Ziehl-Neelsen staining, and modified trichrome staining methods). DNA was extracted from positive samples, and specific fragments of the Cryptosporidium GP60 gene and microsporidia SSU rRNA gene were amplified. Furthermore, positive samples were sequenced for genotype identification and bioinformatics analysis. Based on the microscopic analysis of 1,383 stool samples, 5 (0.36%) and 6 (0.43%) samples were considered positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts and microsporidia spores, respectively. Molecular analysis of positive samples identified the isolates as Cryptosporidium parvum and Enterocytozoon bieneusi. According to comparative phylogenetics, cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis may occur via zoonotic transmission in this region. Therefore, proper control and health education are strongly recommended to prevent zoonotic diseases.
隐孢子虫属和微孢子虫属可引起人类的动物源性肠道感染，已成为新出现的公共卫生关注点。似乎有必要对这些寄生虫进行鉴定和基因分型，以预防、控制并制定适当的治疗方案。本研究旨在评估在伊朗库尔德斯坦省医疗实验室就诊的人群中，隐孢子虫属和微孢子虫属向人类传播的途径和分布情况。共采集并调查了 1383 份粪便样本。采用显微镜方法（即福尔马林乙醚浓缩法、Ziehl-Neelsen 染色法和改良三色染色法）检测隐孢子虫属和微孢子虫属。从阳性样本中提取 DNA，扩增隐孢子虫 GP60 基因和微孢子虫 SSU rRNA 基因的特定片段。进一步对阳性样本进行测序，以进行基因型鉴定和生物信息学分析。根据对 1383 份粪便样本的显微镜分析，有 5 份（0.36%）和 6 份（0.43%）样本被认为分别含有隐孢子虫卵囊和微孢子虫孢子。对阳性样本的分子分析鉴定出的分离株为微小隐孢子虫和人芽囊原虫。根据比较系统发生学，该地区可能通过动物源性传播发生隐孢子虫病和微孢子虫病。因此，强烈建议采取适当的控制和健康教育措施，以预防动物源性疾病。
