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Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in free ranging animals of Tehran, Iran

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Abstract

Cryptosporidium is a world widely distributed parasite which comparatively has a high prevalence in developing countries. The zoonotic potential of some Cryptosporidium species has made the cryptosporidiosis a significant concern to physicians and veterinarians. The occurrence and zoonotic potential of Cryptosporidium species in probable reservoir hosts for man infections was determined by examining faeces of symptomatic and asymptomatic animals. The aim of this study is to screen the presence of Cryptosporidium in fecal sample of free ranging animals in Tehran using Ziehl–Neelsen staining method. The findings indicate that Cryptosporidium are present in 9/50 (18 %) stray cat (Felis catus), 12/50 (24 %) hooded crows (Corvus cornix), 23/180 (12.7 %) rat (Rattus norvegicus and R. rattus) and 1/40 (2.5 %) pigeons (Columba livia). This investigation confirms the potential role of rats, cats, crows and pigeons for zoonotic transmission of human cryptosporidiosis and they must be considered as reservoir hosts which can endanger public health.

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Acknowledgments

The present research is part of Ph.D thesis which has been supported by research deputy of Tarbiat Modares University and Medical Committee of Iranian National Science Foundation. The authors are thankful to Tehran municipality stuffs that granted legal permission in sample collection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

    Mehran Mirzaghavami & Javid Sadraei

  2. Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

    Mehdi Forouzandeh

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  1. Mehran Mirzaghavami
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  2. Javid Sadraei
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  3. Mehdi Forouzandeh
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Correspondence to Javid Sadraei.

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Mirzaghavami, M., Sadraei, J. & Forouzandeh, M. Detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in free ranging animals of Tehran, Iran. J Parasit Dis 40, 1528–1531 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-015-0720-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-015-0720-y

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