Investigation of Cryptosporidium Species Infecting Dogs
Investigation of Cryptosporidium Species Infecting Dogs
Suhad I.J. Al-Asady1*, Mohammad H. Al-Hasnawy2
ABSTRACT
The percentage of dog breeding has increased recently, however, no epidemiological or molecular data regarding Cryptosporidium species infection in dogs is available in Iraq. Therefore, the current study aimed to detect and identify Cryptosporidium species infecting dogs using microscopy and molecular techniques. For the microscopic examination, feces samples of 100 dogs were examined from September 2023 to March 2024 by the flotation technique based on the modified Ziehl–Neelsen-staining technique. The results showed that the overall percentage of Cryptosporidium infection was 22% (22 out of 100). These results also found that the infected males recorded the highest infection rate compared with infected females, where the percentages were 22.41% (13/58) and 21.42% (9/42), respectively. In addition, the infection rate of infected animals less than one year was higher than those aged more than one year, with percentages of 23.18% (16/69) and 19.35% (6/31), respectively. The findings also demonstrated that the infection rate was high in infected dogs in rural areas 23.33% (14/60), in comparison with those living in urban areas 20% (8/40). Regarding the molecular techniques, two species (C. Canis, and C. parvum) were genetically identified based on the PCR and DNA sequencing techniques using the gene: 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene sequence. We conclude the first molecular study in Babylon province that detected and identified these two species in dogs. Interestingly, the species of C. parvum is a zoonotic species that can transmit the infection to humans, highlighting its epidemiological importance of Cryptosporidium.
Keywords | Cryptosporidium, Dog, Zoonotic species, Nested PCR, DNA sequencing
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November 2024
Vol. 12, Sp. Iss. 1
