Investigation of Cryptosporidium spp. in water sources shared by humans and animals in the Kars region, Türkiye

Year 2025, Volume: 10 Issue: 3, 175 - 179, 31.12.2025

Neslihan Ölmez , Nilgün Aydın , Barış Sarı , Mükremin Özkan Arslan

https://doi.org/10.31797/vetbio.1721163

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is protozoan infects a wide range of animals as well as humans and one of waterborne parasites considered a major public health problem in developing and developed countries. In this study, it was aimed to investigate Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in the water sources commonly used by humans and animals in Kars region, Türkiye. In this study, 38 samples were collected from streams and pond at all district in Kars Region. All samples were first passed through a vacuum filtration device and then the sediments were stained with carbol fuchsin and the modified acid fast (mAF) method. As a result, Cryptosporidium oocysts with zoonotic potential were found in 13.2% (5/38). According to the results obtained, the detection of this parasite, which is commonly seen in animals in the Kars region, in water has revealed that it poses a significant risk to public health. Considering these data, preventing waste from mixing into water in water sources that are used jointly by humans and animals is extremely important in preventing the spread of this protozoan.

Keywords

Cryptosporidium , Kars , Türkiye , Water

Ethical Statement

KAU-HADYEK/2024-005

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