Abstract

Background: Cryptosporidium parasite is the cause of human gastroenteritis and other cold and warm-blooded animals that have been widely distributed throughout the world. Genetic information on opportunistic pathogens in immunocompromised patients leads to an increase in the information on epidemiology, patient care, patient management, and rescue. In Iran, infection to Cryptosporidium spp. has been reported, yet only molecular genes can differentiate species and genotype discrimination of the cyst. The molecular assays indicated that Cryptosporidium parvum is the most common species found in Iran, followed by C. hominis. Objectives: The present study aimed at determining the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium (C.) in children with diarrhea using the PCR-RFLP method and SSU gene. Methods: In this study, stool specimens were collected from 182 children with diarrhea referring to Zabol hospitals. Slides and shitter procedure were done and Ziehl-Neelsen stain was observed directly; an examination was made to identify the parasite, and PCR-RFLP were eventually performed on DNA extracted from the isolates. Results: Out of 182 stool specimens, 27 isolates were identified as Cryptosporidium, using Ziehl-Neelsen stain method, of which 17 and 10 isolates were respectively reported to be C. parvum and C. hominis after the molecular examination. Conclusions: Both human and cattle genotypes are seen in children with diarrhea, yet since the dominant species is C. parvum, zoonosis is more common than human transmission and human-livestock contact is considered as the most important source of human contamination. © 2019, Author(s).