Prevalence of <i>Cryptosporidium spp.</i> Infection among Domestic Animals in Shiraz, Fars Province, Iran (2023)

Background and Aim: Cryptosporidium spp.are parasitic protozoa that can cause cryptosporidiosis, leading to diarrhea, particularly in developing countries.While healthy individuals may have mild or asymptomatic infections, those with weakened immune systems can experience severe illness.This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in domestic animals, including cattle, sheep, and horses, in Shiraz County, Fars province, Iran. Materials and Methods:The fecal samples (n=189) were collected from cattle, sheep, and horses in Shiraz County focusing on both diarrheal and non-diarrheal animals during 2023.Microscopic methods were employed to assess the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in samples.SPSS version 21 was used for the statistical analysis, applying Fisher's exact test to evaluate the association between diarrhea and Cryptosporidium infection (P<0.05). Results and onclusion:The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in 189 fecal samples was found to be 22.7%.Cattle had the highest rate at 30.16%, while sheep and horses had lower rates of 20.63% and 17.46%, respectively.This study highlights the significant prevalence of Cryptosporidium in domestic animals in Shiraz County, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance and management to mitigate zoonotic transmission risks in Animal Husbandry settings.