作者
Morteza Izadi, Nematollah Jonaidi-Jafari, Amin Saburi, Hossein Eyni, Mohammad-Reza Rezaiemanesh, Reza Ranjbar
简介
Objectives
he prevalence of Cryptosporidium and the risk factors of zoonotic transmission in Najafabad, Isfahan, Iran dairy farms were examined.
Methods
One fecal sample was collected from all calves less than 6 months old in eight dairy farms around Najafabad (Isfahan province, Central Iran) as well as individuals working in these farms and their household members. A twostep nested PCR protocol was used to amplify the 18S rRNA gene (830 bp).
Results
Cryptosporidium was identified in the stool of 36 (prevalence 8.5%) of 96 farm workers and 326 household members. Furthermore, 31 (1. 2%) of 218 calf samples were positive. Cryptosporidium parvum was identified in 15 (72%) of the positive farm workers and 10 (65%) of the positive household members. Of the positive calves, 20 (6. 5%) were infected with C. parvum, indicating possible zoonotic transmission in these farms. Contact with calves (P< 0.0001) was the most significant risk factor ofC. parvuminfection. A considerable negative association was observed between C. parvum infection and cleaning of shoes/boots after daily work (P= 0.00), hand washing (P= 0.013), and use of piped water (P< 0.006). In the multivariate analysis with logistic regression, only contact with calves was significant.
Conclusion
Zoonotic transmission of C. parvum due to contact with calves is predominant among farm workers and their household members of this region and appropriate health measures must be applied to control the infection and decrease of zoonotic transmission of this parasite.