شیوع کریپتوسپوریدیوزیس رودهای درکبوتران شهرستان مشهد

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic coccidian disease that is highly prevalent in the world. this is a parasiticinfection and causing acute digestive disorders (diarrhea) in man and animals. the pigeons probablymay have a role in the transmission of cryptosporidium infection for other birds and human. this studywas carried out to determine the prevalence of cryptosporidium spp infection in pigeons in mashhadfrom october 2008 to september 2009. faecal samples from 200 pigeons were collected. detection ofoocysts was performed using the formalin- ether sedimentation method and the modified ziehl-neelsenstaining technique. cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in 2.5 % of the samples. the highest rate ofinfection was in winter although this difference was not statistically significant. cryptosporidium oocystswere identified in three female and tow male pigeons. no significant difference was observed betweenprevalence in male and female pigeons. diarrhea was recorded in three of the positive pigeons. prevalencewas not significantly higher in diarrheic pigeons versus non-diarrheic pigeons. the results showedthat local pigeons probably may have a role in the transmission of cryptosporidium infection for otherbirds and human.keywords: cryptosporidium, pigeon, mashhad