Cryptosporidiosis among animal handlers and their livestock in Basrah, Iraq.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis among groups at risk (animal handlers) and among domestic animals.
DESIGN: Comparative study with zoonotic aspect.
METHOD: Stool samples were collected from 60 animal handlers, 175 non-animal handlers and 198 domestic animals (60 cows, 45 sheep, 45 goats, 25 horses and 23 camels). Direct smear method and then formalin-ether sedimentation method were carried out for stool samples to detect intestinal parasites. Faecal smears were prepared from the sediment and stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method for the recovery of red-pink oocysts of Cryptosporidium.
RESULTS: Out of the 60 animal handlers, 30 (50%) were found to be positive for intestinal parasites compared to 26 (14.8%) of non-animal handlers (P < 0.01). Cryptosporidium oocysts were found to be excreted by three (5%) animal handlers and two (1.14%) of the non-animal handlers (P > 0.05). Cryptosporidiosis was also diagnosed in 20%, 13.3%, 17.7% and 12% of cattle, sheep, goats and horses respectively. No single positive case was detected among the examined camels.
CONCLUSION: Veterinarians, butchers and breeders should be aware of the disease among farm animals in order to avoid great losses and to prevent its transmission to humans.