Molecular Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum by Specific Gene (Heat Shock Protein) in Children at Babylon Center

Background: Cryptosporidium is a diarrhea-causing single-celled parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of humans, livestock, birds, and wildlife populations. Objectives: Molecular detection of C. parvum by specific genes in children. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 stool samples were...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hayam Khalis Al-Masoudi, Ola Abdallah Mahdi Dahash
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-04-01
Series:Medical Journal of Babylon
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.4103/MJBL.MJBL_1118_23
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Summary:Background: Cryptosporidium is a diarrhea-causing single-celled parasite that infects the gastrointestinal tract of humans, livestock, birds, and wildlife populations. Objectives: Molecular detection of C. parvum by specific genes in children. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 stool samples were collected from patients aged 17 days to 10 years, (26 females and 49 males) and were represented using a specific gene [Heat shock protein gene (HSP70)] for the diagnosis of C. parvum. Results: The results indicated that from 300 stool samples, 75 (25%) were found to be positive for C. parvum. Additionally, polymerase chain reaction product analysis of the HSP70 gene in C. parvum reported that fifty of the 75 (66.66%) samples observed carried the HSP70. Also, the results indicated that the highest infection rate was recorded in patients of the 17-day age group (27, 36%, and the lowest rate was recorded in the patients of the 9–10 year age group (2, 2.7%) with a significant value. According to gender, the results indicated that the highest percentage was found in males (65.3%), and the lowest percentage was found in females (34.7%). Additionally, the highest infection rate was found in rural areas (62.5%), while the lowest infection was found in urban areas (37.5%). Conclusion: HSP70 could be a good diagnostic tool for the detection of C. parvum among pediatric patients as well as for the monitoring of water resources, in which low concentrations of parasites are usually observed.
ISSN:1812-156X
2312-6760