Prevalence of intestinal cryptosporidiosis in pigeons in Mashhad

Cryptosporidiosis is a zoonotic coccidian disease that is highly prevalent in the world. This is a parasitic infection and causing acute digestive disorders (diarrhea) in man and animals. The pigeons probably may have a role in the transmission of Cryptosporidium infection for other birds and human. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp infection in pigeons in Mashhad from October 2008 to September 2009. Faecal samples from 200 pigeons were collected. Detection of oocysts was performed using the formalin- ether sedimentation method and the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in 2.5 % of the samples. The highest rate of infection was in winter although this difference was not statistically significant. Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in three female and tow male pigeons. No significant difference was observed between prevalence in male and female pigeons. Diarrhea was recorded in three of the positive pigeons. Prevalence was not significantly higher in diarrheic pigeons versus non-diarrheic pigeons. The results showed that local pigeons probably may have a role in the transmission of Cryptosporidium infection for other birds and human.