Molecular Diagnosis and Typing of Cryptosporidium spp. Species in Human Stools with Diarrhea

Objective: This study was conducted to molecularly identify and classify Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples (n=150) from patients with diarrhea received at the microbiology laboratory of a private hospital in Denizli. Methods: In this study, the positivity of Cryptosporidium spp. in fecal samples was investigated using direct microscopy, Kinyoun’s acid-fast staining method, and Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques. Positive PCR products were sequenced. Results: In the examined fecal samples of patients with diarrhea, no parasites were detected through direct microscopic examination. Using the Kinyoun acid-fast staining method, Cryptosporidium spp. was identified in 2.7% (n=4) of the samples, while Nested PCR detected it in 4.67% (n=7) of the samples. The four positive samples were sequenced using primers that amplify the 18S rRNA gene region. The sequencing results identified the isolates as C. parvum. Conclusion: Cryptosporidiosis is an important public health issue as it is a zoonotic disease caused by the Cryptosporidium parasite that can be transmitted from animals to humans. This study focuses on the molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species detected in human fecal samples, which is significant for understanding which specific strains or species are involved in human infections. According to the findings, it is recommended that control measures be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure to Cryptosporidium in both humans and animals in Türkiye.