Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in sheep and goats in rural areas of Al-Muthanna Province, Iraq

Background: Cryptosporidium species are widespread protozoa and are considered an important cause of diarrhea in humans and animals. Aim: The aim of this study was to identify the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrheic sheep and goats from the rural areas of the Al-Muthanna Province, southern Iraq, based on molecular screening using PCR. The outcomes would help in determining the distribution of C. parvum in sheep and goats in the area, as well as the risk factors for the infection. Methodology: Sixty fecal samples were collected from clinically ill sheep and goats. The samples were submitted to PCR and sequencing that targeted the 18S rRNA gene in the protozoan. Results: The PCR revealed a 60% (18 samples) and 76.67% (23 samples) positive identification of C. parvum in sheep and goats, respectively. The sequencing demonstrated nucleotide similarities with isolates deriving from Iraq (MG878399.1) and India (JN836324.1) for the sheep isolates, and with isolates deriving from South Korea (DQ054819.1) and the USA (AF159112.1) for the goat isolates. Conclusion: C. parvum is the dominant species in the sheep and goats of Al-Muthanna Province, in southern Iraq. Moreover, the phylogenetic analysis demonstrates that the current study’s isolates may share the same ancestor with local and global isolates.