title: Detection ofCryptosporidiumspp. in free ranging animals of Tehran, Iran.
abstract: Cryptosporidiumis a world widely distributed parasite which comparatively has a high prevalence in developing countries. The zoonotic potential of someCryptosporidiumspecies has made the cryptosporidiosis a significant concern to physicians and veterinarians. The occurrence and zoonotic potential ofCryptosporidiumspecies in probable reservoir hosts for man infections was determined by examining faeces of symptomatic and asymptomatic animals. The aim of this study is to screen the presence ofCryptosporidiumin fecal sample of free ranging animals in Tehran using Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. The findings indicate thatCryptosporidiumare present in 9/50 (18 %) stray cat (Felis catus), 12/50 (24 %) hooded crows (Corvus cornix), 23/180 (12.7 %) rat (Rattus norvegicusandR. rattus) and 1/40 (2.5 %) pigeons (Columba livia). This investigation confirms the potential role of rats, cats, crows and pigeons for zoonotic transmission of human cryptosporidiosis and they must be considered as reservoir hosts which can endanger public health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehran
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mirzaghavami
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Javid
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sadraei
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biotechnology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Forouzandeh
keywords: Cat; Crow; Cryptosporidium; Free ranging animals; Iran; Pigeons; Rat