Molecular identification of Cryptosporidium andersoni in healthy and in cattle with diarrhea of Mashhad, Northeast of Iran.

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular and extracytoplasmic protozoan that belongs to the phylum Apicomplexa. In this observational study, fecal samples were randomly collected from 800 dairy cattle, in 10 industrial dairy farms in Mashhad, Iran (from 2011 to 2015 years). The presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was determined by modified cold Ziehl‑Neelsen's staining. Results of microscopy observation showed that 23 samples (2.87%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocyst. Twenty two samples were confirmed by PCR. The identification of Cryptosporidium andersoni was determined by restriction digestions of PCR products, using SspI, VspI, and DdeI enzymes. Differences between healthy and diarrheic groups as well as between age groups were not observed.