Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species Isolated from Cattle in Southwest of Iran

[Background]Cryptosporidium spp. is an ubiquitous intracellular protozoan parasite that affect a wide range of vertebrates like humans and livestock.[Objectives]The current survey was aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in cattle of Ahvaz city, southwest of Iran.[Methods]In total, 240 cattle fecal specimens were collected from 5 geographical regions of Ahvaz city and microscopically tested for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Then, all positive samples were examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) to detect and genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp., respectively. Finally, the obtained results were sequenced.[Results]The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and nested-PCR methods were 2.1% (5/240) in cattle. Digestion of secondary PCR products using the RFLP method and employing SspI and VspI enzymes, revealed C. parvum pattern in all positive cases and also confirmed by sequencing.[Conclusions]Current finding suggests that C. parvum is the main species in cattle of Ahvaz city and could be considered as an important reservoir for zoonotic infection.