Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. Isolated From Immunocompromised Patients and Children

Abstract

Background:Cryptosporidium is known to be one of the most important causes of diarrhea in children and immunocompromised patients. Genotype characterization of Cryptosporidium species in each region would help in the treatment of this disease, as well as to locate the source of infection and to prevent the disease.Objectives:This current research was conducted in order to analyze the molecular characterization of isolated Cryptosporidium spp. in the Southwest of Iran.Materials and Methods:In this survey, 390 fecal samples were collected from immunocompromised individuals and children under five-years-of-age. Parasitic infection was evaluated using wet mount preparation, formalin ether, a modified acid fast staining method and microscopic examination. Finally, a PCR-RFLP assay was performed on the extracted DNA collected from fecal samples that were positive for Cryptosporidium by the acid fast method.Results:Among the 390 fecal samples, 16 cases (4.1%) were infected with Cryptosporidium. Molecular and genotype characterization found the following protozoan species; 11 Cryptosporidium parvum (68.8%), 4 C. hominis (25%), and one case of C. meleagridis (6.2%).Conclusions:The present study emphasized the public health importance of Cryptosporidium spp. in the study area. In addition, it seems that zoonotic species are the most important causes of infection in the region. As far as we are aware this the first report of a C. meleagridis infection in Iran.

Molecular Study of Cryptosporidium spp. in Dogs from Southwest of Iran

“…Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in geographical regions of Khuzestan province, southwest of Iran, is variable and it seems that the prevalence of this protozoa in south of the province is higher than other areas (38)(39)(40).…”

Molecular Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species Isolated from Cattle in Southwest of Iran

“…The DNA extraction kit (QIAamp® DNA Stool Mini Kit, USA) was employed for a genomic DNA extraction procedure according to the manufacturer's instruction as described formerly (7,9,18). The extracted DNAs were stored in -20°C till tested.…”

“…The extracted DNAs were stored in -20°C till tested. nested-PCR technique was utilized to amplify a fragment of SSU 18s rRNA using 2 sets of primers as follow: (F1): 5' -TTCTAGAGCTAATACATGCG -3' and (R1): 5' -CCCATTTCCTTCGAAACAGGA -3' for first stage of PCR and (F2): 5' -GGAAGGGTTGTATTTATTAGATAAAG-3' and (R2): 5' -CTCATAAGG TGCTGAAGGAGTA -3' for secondary PCR (7,9,19,20). The PCR products were loaded on 1.5% agarose gel and visualized under UV light using Gel Doc device (Uvidoc, Gel Documentation System, and Cambridge, UK) (12,13,21,22).…”

“…Cryptosporidiosis in immunocompetent individuals is mostly asymptomatic, although in immunocompromised patients, it causes a life-threatening and severe infection (8,9). Cattle are the major hosts for several species of Cryptosporidium.…”

Infecção natural de pombos (Columba livia) por Cryptosporidium spp

“…Além de parasitar aves, Cryptosporidium meleagridis também é considerado um patógeno emergente em humanos e é a terceira espécie mais comumente diagnosticada neste hospedeiro (Xiao, 2010;Rafiei et al, 2014;Stensvold et al, 2014).…”