A diagnostic and pathological study of Cryptosporidium spp. in some bird species in Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq

Document Type : Original Article

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Department of Biology , College of Education, University of Al-Qadisiyah, Diwaniyah, Iraq

Abstract

Background: Cryptosporidiosis a zoonotic parasitic disease caused by  Cryptosporidium sp. that affects multiple hosts, including birds. It infects birds through water and food contaminated with the infective stage, causing gastrointestinal, respiratory, and kidney diseases in birds. It also causes conjunctival infection in some bird species if the oocysts are deposited directly on the conjunctival sac. Aim: This study aimed to diagnose Cryptosporidium spp. in some species of birds and histopathological changes in intestine tissues. Methods: 200 Samples of the intestinal contents of the birds, including 50 birds each of wild pigeons, ducks, domestic chickens, and field chickens, samples examined using a light microscope with Ziehl-Neelsen stain. The positive samples were diagnosis by polymerase chain reaction technique to confirm the infection. sections of the intestines of infected birds were preserved in 10% formalin for microscopic examination. Results: The study was conducted with a total infection rate of 22%, wild pigeons, ducks, local chickens, and field chickens recorded infection rates of 28%, 14%, 24%, and 22%, respectively. Diagnosis using the PCR technique showed the total infection was 77.27%, which is higher than in microscopic diagnosis; microscopic examination of histological sections from the intestines of infected birds revealed atrophy of the villi and infiltration of inflammatory cells as a result of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. Conclusion:  Cryptosporidium infection is highly in birds of the province and molecular diagnosis by PCR technique Peter than microscopic diagnosis.

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