Prevalence and Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Humans at Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Omran, Salwa Gamal Ahmed; DYAB, Ahmed KAMAL; Ahmed, Amal Mostafa; Elbadry, Ayman Ahmed; Abd-Elmawgood, Amal Ahmed

doi:10.21608/smj.2025.347066.1520

Prevalence and Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in Humans at Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ medical parasitology, faculty of medicine, sohag university

² parasitology Faculty of medicine Assiut University

³ Departement of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine , Sohag University

⁴ Department of Microbiology-Medical Parasitology Section, College of Medicine, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

⁵ Departments of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Sohag University

10.21608/smj.2025.347066.1520

Abstract

Background: Cryptosporidiosis is a global infection caused by Cryptosporidium, which infects various vertebrates and humans, and causes gastroenteritis with varying severity. Several Cryptosporidium spp. with different genotypes and subtypes are implicated in human cryptosporidiosis.

Objective: estimate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium species in Sohag, assess its occurrence among various patient groups, and analyze the relationship between Cryptosporidium infections and associated risk factors and assessed the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium spp in Humans at Sohag Governorate, Egypt

Patients and Methods: A total of 245 human stool samples were collected from patients attending the outpatient clinics of Sohag hospitals. The collected samples were examined microscopically by direct smear and modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain. All positive Cryptosporidium samples detected by MZN were genotyped using nested polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (nPCR-RFLP) targeting cowp gene encoding Cryptosporidium oocyst wall protein (Cowp).

Results: Cryptosporidium was detected in 20% (49/245) of the examined samples using MZN. Only 2/45 (4%) of samples positive by microscopy were successfully amplified using cowp gene. All amplified samples were confirmed as C. hominis by nPCR-RFLP analysis of the cowp gene. Significant associations were found between cryptosporidiosis and age, residence and patient categories.

Conclusion: The identification of C. hominis indicates anthroponotic transmission. the relatively low prevalence of Cryptosporidium underscores the positive impact of public health measures implemented during and after COVID-19 pandemic on reducing parasitic infections.

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