Cryptosporidiosis: A Study of Zoonotic Enteric Parasite in Small Ruminants in Sulaymaniyah Province/Iraq

Cryptosporidium species are widely distributed food- and water borne intestinal protozoa that infect a wide range of hosts with zoonotic implications. The lack of data regarding the occurrence of cryptosporidiosis necessitates the current study to find out the prevalence of Cryptosporidium among small ruminants in Sulaymaniyah province. Sampling was performed from July to December 2023 involving 215 sheep and 150 goats belonging to a mixed small ruminant herd. A parasitological survey was achieved for protozoan detection from all fecal samples, stained by the Ziehl-Neelsen staining procedure. The observed result confirms the existence of Cryptosporidium among a small ruminant population, with a prevalence rate of 22.74% (n=365). A higher prevalence of 24.19% was found in sheep compared to goats at 20.67% (OR =1.2, 95% CI:0.7-1.7). At the flock’s level, Cryptosporidium oocysts have been detected in all selected sampling herds, with a significantly higher prevalence rate of 29.56% in large herds with more than 200 animals (OR =2.5,95% CI:1.1-2.8). Although no significancy was observed regarding the animals age, a higher prevalence 23.40% was observed in older ones ≥18 months (OR =0.8, 95% CI:0.6-1.4). Season is one of the epidemiological factors, in the current study, a higher infection rate 23.61% was found among animals during wet seasons (OR =0.9, 95% CI:0.6-1.4). The frequency of infection 25.97% was higher among animals that were cohabitated with cattle (OR =0.7,95% CI:0.5-1.2). The study confirms the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection among sheep and goats. The possibility of livestock contributing to human cryptosporidiosis should be established.