Abstract
Cryptosporidium spp. are significant zoonotic parasites in humans and animals worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among raccoon (Procyon lotor) in north of Iran. The fecal samples (n = 30) were collected from raccoons. After DNA extraction, all samples were examined by nested PCR amplification of the 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene. From 30 raccoon samples, 4 (13.3%) were positive, and the isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium skunk genotype based on sequence analysis. The large distribution of raccoons in northern provinces of Iran and their potency for carrying some human-infecting parasites like Cryptosporidium spp. propose this mammalian as a source for zoonotic parasites.
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Conceived and designed the experiments: HM MS. Performed the experiments: HMR SSJ. Analyzed the data: HM SN. Contributed reagents/materials/analysis tools/positive samples: MS MRZ. Wrote the paper: HM SSJ. All authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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The protocol of this study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Iran (IR.GUMS.REC.1394.185).
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Mohammad Rahimi, H., Soleimani Jevinani, S., Nemati, S. et al. Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium skunk genotype in raccoons (Procyon lotor) in Iran: concern for zoonotic transmission. Parasitol Res 121, 483–489 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07367-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-021-07367-6