Prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in Calves and Humans to be in Contact Them in Tabriz Area in Iran

Cryptosporidium species are frequently associated with diarrhea among patients and dairy herds are a possible source of some of these infections. The environmental distribution Cryptosporidium spp. is dependent upon human and animal sources. This study examined parasite prevalence in calves and humans to be contact them in Tabriz area in Iran. Fecal samples were collected from 482 calves and 86 humans in the dairy farms. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified by using sheather's concentration and the Ziehl-Neelsen modified staining technique in 31 of 482 calves (6.43%) ranging from less than 6 months of age and 5 of 86 humans (5.81%) ranging from less than 1 year of age to older than 52 years of age. This study was achieved in 6 farms. Overall prevalence of infection was 5.81%, but higher in calves 4–6 months of age (7.13%) and this was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Both sexes of calves were infected with Cryptosporidium parasites, but prevalence were higher in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic calves. There was no association between the detection of Cryptosporidium and other gastrointestinal parasites. These results indicate that Cryptosporidium is enzootic among calves, and suggest that calves could have a role in zoonotic cryptosporidiosis.