Prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in herding and guard dogs in rural regions of Mahabad

Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus are the most common protozoa causing small intestine abnormalities of dogs in different parts of the world including Iran. This study was designed to generate updated information about the presence and effect of some epidemiologic parameters on the prevalence of these protozoa. For this aim, 200 fecal samples of herding and guard dogs were collected randomly from different rural areas around Mahabad city and were referred to laboratories after stabilization with formalin and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. Samples were microscopically studied using concentration method followed by the trichrome-Gumurian and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. In general, 9 (4.5%) and 31 (15.5%) dogs were infected with Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus, respectively. The highest incidence of cryptosporidium was observed in dogs less than 6 months (10.43%) and the lowest incidence was in the age group more than 4 years (1.54%). The highest levels of Giardia infection were found in the 6-12 months age group (25%) and the lowest in the 1-4 years age group (8.62%). The prevalence of infection with cryptosporidium and giardia in male dogs was 4.67% and 14.95%, respectively, and 4.30% and 16.13% in female dogs, respectively. The prevalence of both protozoa in male and female dogs as well as in different age groups was not statistically significant. There were no significant relation between age and gender with prevalence of both parasites. However, the level of infection with both Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoa in dogs with inappropriate sanitation was higher than those with proper health status, but this difference was not statistically significant.Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus are the most common protozoa causing small intestine abnormalities of dogs in different parts of the world including Iran. This study was designed to generate updated information about the presence and effect of some epidemiologic parameters on the prevalence of these protozoa. For this aim, 200 fecal samples of herding and guard dogs were collected randomly from different rural areas around Mahabad city and were referred to laboratories after stabilization with formalin and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. Samples were microscopically studied using concentration method followed by the trichrome-Gumurian and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. In general, 9 (4.5%) and 31 (15.5%) dogs were infected with Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus, respectively. The highest incidence of cryptosporidium was observed in dogs less than 6 months (10.43%) and the lowest incidence was in the age group more than 4 years (1.54%). The highest levels of Giardia infection were found in the 6-12 months age group (25%) and the lowest in the 1-4 years age group (8.62%). The prevalence of infection with cryptosporidium and giardia in male dogs was 4.67% and 14.95%, respectively, and 4.30% and 16.13% in female dogs, respectively. The prevalence of both protozoa in male and female dogs as well as in different age groups was not statistically significant. There were no significant relation between age and gender with prevalence of both parasites. However, the level of infection with both Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoa in dogs with inappropriate sanitation was higher than those with proper health status, but this difference was not statistically significant.Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus are the most common protozoa causing small intestine abnormalities of dogs in different parts of the world including Iran. This study was designed to generate updated information about the presence and effect of some epidemiologic parameters on the prevalence of these protozoa. For this aim, 200 fecal samples of herding and guard dogs were collected randomly from different rural areas around Mahabad city and were referred to laboratories after stabilization with formalin and polyvinyl alcohol solutions. Samples were microscopically studied using concentration method followed by the trichrome-Gumurian and modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. In general, 9 (4.5%) and 31 (15.5%) dogs were infected with Cryptosporidium and Giardia genus, respectively. The highest incidence of cryptosporidium was observed in dogs less than 6 months (10.43%) and the lowest incidence was in the age group more than 4 years (1.54%). The highest levels of Giardia infection were found in the 6-12 months age group (25%) and the lowest in the 1-4 years age group (8.62%). The prevalence of infection with cryptosporidium and giardia in male dogs was 4.67% and 14.95%, respectively, and 4.30% and 16.13% in female dogs, respectively. The prevalence of both protozoa in male and female dogs as well as in different age groups was not statistically significant. There were no significant relation between age and gender with prevalence of both parasites. However, the level of infection with both Cryptosporidium and Giardia protozoa in dogs with inappropriate sanitation was higher than those with proper health status, but this difference was not statistically significant.