title: Genetic characterization ofCryptosporidiumspp. among patients with gastrointestinal complaints.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study investigated subtypes ofCryptosporidiumin patients with gastrointestinal complaints in Tehran, Iran.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Cryptosporidium, an intracellular protozean parasite, is among the major causative agents of gastroenteritis disorders in humans. It also causes water-borne and food-borne outbreaks of diarrheal diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1685 fecal samples were collected from patients with gastrointestinal complaints who had been referred to clinical laboratories Tehran, Iran. The primary diagnosis was established by the detection of oocysts using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method and following that, the positive microscopically samples were selected for sequence analysis of the partial 60 kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 1685 collected samples, 7 (0.4 %) were positive forCryptosporidiumoocysts. Sequence analysis of gp60 gene in sevenCryptosporidiumisolates revealed that two subtype families were identified, IIa and IId. Five (of 7) isolates belonged to the subtype family IIa and the remaining two isolates belonged to IId. Two sub-types were recognized within the subtype family II,a including IIaA16G2R1 (3/5), IIaA17G1R1 (2/5), while IIdA17G1d was the only subtype within IId subtype family.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The predominance of zoonotic subtype families ofC. parvumspecies (IIa, IId) in this study highlights the importance ofzoonotictransmission of cryptosporidiosis in the country.
authors.affiliation: Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Reza
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ranjbar
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Kaveh
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baghaei
authors.affiliation: Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases Research Center, Research Institute for Gastroenterology and Liver Diseases, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Ehsan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nazemalhosseini Mojarad
keywords: Cryptosporidium; Gastrointestinal complaints; Genetic characterization