Detection of Cryptosporidium canis in dog in Mosul city, Iraq

Abstract

The current study aimed to detect Cryptosporidium canis in dogs in Mosul, Iraq. To achieve this objective, fecal samples from a total of 95 local dogs located in Mosul city were collected between September 2023 and April 2024. Direct, flotation, and fluorescent techniques were used for identifying the parasite. Iodin and Giemsa stains used as basic protocols for fecal smear samples, alongside acridine orange stain was used for fluorescence microscopy monitoring. For Cryptosporidium species, 45 specimens (47.4%) had been confirmed. Dogs younger than one year old (59.6%), Male dogs (78.6%), stray dogs (56%) reported the most rates of Cryptosporidiosis. This study concluded that detection of Cryptosporidium canis with the fluorescent using (acridine orange) was the most effective technique that showed positive results.