Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium parvum in humans and calves in Tikrit city and surrounding areas using flotation, direct fluorescence, and ELISA technique

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is a prevalent cause of mortality worldwide among children under 24 months and may lead to significant long-term health consequences such as malnutrition and developmental delays. Although most Cryptosporidium parvum strains are zoonotic, some are anthroponotic. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of C. parvum in both humans and calves using multiple diagnostic methods, including flotation, fluorescent staining, and the ELISA technique. Methods: A total of 400 stool samples were collected, consisting of 200 from children and 200 from calves. Initially, all samples were inspected macroscopically for color, consistency, and foreign substances, followed by a flotation test. Subsequently, 45 human and 45 calf samples were subjected to direct fluorescence examination (using Auramine Phenol and Calcofluor White) and the ELISA technique, which included positive samples obtained from microscopic examination. Results: The results of flotation revealed a positivity rate of 6% in humans and 3.5% in calves. Fluorescent staining using Auramine Phenol and Calcofluor White demonstrated higher detection rates than traditional microscopic methods at p-value >0.05. In humans, the positivity rates were 22.22% and 24.44%, and in calves, 20% and 17%, respectively. The ELISA technique, recorded the highest detection rate, with 14 positive samples representing 31.11% of examined cases. Conclusion: The study highlights the widespread prevalence of C. parvum in humans and calves, noting that different diagnostic methods yield varying detection rates. It underscores the necessity for improved diagnostic techniques to enhance public health efforts aimed at reducing cryptosporidiosis, particularly among vulnerable populations like toddlers.