title: Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species in Children with Diarrhea in North West of Iran.
abstract: Cryptosporidium is one of the most common causes of childhood diarrhea in developing countries. The aim of this randomized pilot study was to detect and characterize infective species and determine the genotypes of Cryptosporidium parasites in pediatric patients suffering from diarrhea in North West of Iran. A total of 113 fecal samples were collected from diarrheic children hospitalized in Tabriz Pediatric Hospital. The amplification of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction protocol and its products were digested using two restriction enzymes for Cryptosporidium species and genotype differentiation. Cryptosporidium oocysts were found in 2 (1.76%) children with diarrhea and restriction pattern revealed the presence of C.parvum bovine genotype in both positive fecal samples. The findings indicate that Cryptosporidium parvum is responsible for cryptosporidiosis in children in the study region and probably zoonotic transmission is the predominant route of parasite transmission.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Science, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. ; Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Behroz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mahdavi Poor
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Science, Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Jalil
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rashedi
authors.affiliation: Biotechnology R esearch Center and Faculty of Paramedicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asgharzadeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors.forename: Esmaeel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fallah
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Kareem
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hatam-Nahavandi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Parasitology, School of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abdolhossein
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dalimi
keywords: Child; Cryptosporidium; Iran; PCR; genotype