Identification and Subtyping of Cryptosporidium Parvum and Cryptosporidium Hominis in Cancer Patients, Isfahan Province, Central Iran



Pestechian N^{1, 2} ; Manesh RM² ; Tavakoli S¹ ; Mokarian F^{3, 4} ; Rahmani M¹
Source: Iranian Journal of Parasitology Published:2022

Abstract

Background: Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoan parasites that cause diarrhea in humans and animals. Subtyping data about Cryptosporidium spp. in Isfahan, Iran is limited; therefore, we aimed to study the prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium spp. in cancer patients, associated risk factors, and subtypes of Cryptosporidium spp. Methods: Fecal samples were collected from 187 cancer patients from the On-cology Department of Seyed-al-Shohada Hospital, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences during 2014–2020 and screened for Cryptosporidium spp. using micro-scopical techniques. Nested PCR amplifying 18S rRNA gene was used to detect Cryptosporidium spp. in samples, followed by subtyping using nested PCR amplifying gp60 sequences. Results: Overall, the rate of infection with Cryptosporidium spp. was 4.3% (n=8). Five samples out of eight samples were identified as Cryptosporidium spp. using a nested PCR for the 18S rRNA gene, two subtypes of C. parvum named IIaA18G3R1 (n = 2) and IIaA17G2R1 (n = 2), and one subtype of C. hominis named IbA6G3 were identified by sequencing of the gp60. The IbA6G3 sub-type has rarely been detected in other investigations. Conclusion: This is the first survey on the subtyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in this region. The results of the present survey show both zoonotic and anthro-ponotic transmission routes in the region. © 2022 Pestechian et al. Published by Tehran University of Medical Sciences.