Detection and Prevalence of Cryptosporidium Species in Broiler Chickens and Turkeys in Tikrit Province, Iraq

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is a parasitic organism that invades the cells of various animals, such as mammals, birds, and humans. Sample collection: 175 fecal samples were collected randomly from poultry, consisting of 127 broilers and 48 turkeys. The Ziehl-Neelsen staining method was used to directly examine all faecal samples for the existence of primary oocysts. Furthermore, the genetic material DNA was extracted from the fecal samples as were found to indicate a positive result. This study showed 2 (1.14%) were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. Through microscopic examination, infection of poultry with the fungus Cryptosporidium spp was diagnosed. Composed of 127 broilers (0.78%) and 48 turkeys (2.08%), 18s rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated the presence of two Cryptosporidium spp: C. meleagridis and C baileyi in turkeys and broiler, respectively. According to sequence analysis, it has been deposited in GenBnk with accession numbers OP868728.1 from Cryptosporidium baileyi and OP868729.1 from Cryptosporidium meleagridis.