Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium spp among Cattle and Sheep in Wasit Province, Iraq: Prevalence and Some Virulence Factors

Abstract

 Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite found in animals or humans. The present study was designed to assess the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in the cattle and sheep population of Wasit Province, Iraq and to explore two virulence genes, Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (COWP) and surface protein of sporozoite (CP15). So total of 200 faecal sample were collected from animals such as 100 cattle and 100 sheep from November 2025 to April 2026. The samples were studied microscopically by modified Ziehl – Neelsen staining and molecularly by nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR). Cryptosporidium oocysts were found by microscopic examination in 55/100 (55.0%) of cattle and 26/100 (26.0%) of sheep. Nested PCR detected Cryptosporidium DNA in 56/100 (56.0%) cattle and 26/100 (26.0%) sheep. These COWP and CP15 virulence-associated genes were then examined using conventional PCR. Among the selected positive samples, COWP was detected in 8/11 (72.73%) cattle and 7/7 (100%) sheep, whereas CP15 was detected in 6/11 (54.55%) cattle and 5/7 (71.43%) sheep. The results confirm the presence of Cryptosporidium in cattle and sheep in Wasit Province and show the presence of COWP and CP15 genes in the examined samples that were found positive for Cryptosporidium.