Prevalence of Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. in horses and animal handlers in some areas in Baghdad city

This study was conducted to detect the zoonotic intestinal protozoa Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. infection in horses and animal handlers at Baghdad city (Al-Zawraa Zoo, Iraqi Equestrian Federation (IFE), Equestrian and Al- Dowanem), during the period 1/November/ 2014 to 31/April /2015, from both sexes one hundred eighty stool samples (92 horses, and 88 humans) were examined by direct wet smear, Lugol s iodine smear and modified Ziehle Nelseen stain. In horse the results showed that the infection rate of Giardia spp. was 4.45% by direct wet and Lugol s iodine smears. The higher infection rate 12.5% was recorded in the age group 1-3 years and the females showed a higher infection rate 6%. In Equestrian were recorded the high infection rates 8% without significant P 0.05. While in animal handlers was showed a total infection rate 35.22%, the higher infection rate 45% was recorded in the age group 20 years and the high infection rates were recorded 36.36% in males. while the higher infection rate 50% was found in Iraqi Equestrian Federation and all group show no significant P 0.05. The results were showed that the total Cryptosporidium spp. infection rate was 64.13% by MZNS in horse. The higher infection rate recorded 70% in age group 12-15 years, while higher infection rate were recorded in males 71.43% with no significant between the age and sex P 0.05. Al-Zawraa Zoo was recorded the highest infection rate 85.18% with different significant P 0.01.Cryptosporidium spp. in animal handlers showed total infection rate 47.72%, the higher infection rate 77.77% was recorded in the age group 40-50 years and the group show significant P 0.01, with high infection rates 50% recorded in males. The higher infection rate 59.9% was recorded in Al- Dowanem areas. In ELISA for detection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. parasites of animal handlers, the result showed that the total infection rate was 60.23%, the higher infection rate 72.22% was found in the age group 40-50 years with different significant P 0.01. A high infection rate 63.64% was found in females and the Equestrian area was showed the higher infection rate 76.47% without significant P 0.05.