Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium parvum in pet lovebirds from Babylon province, Iraq

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.

10.22103/jab.2026.27289.1925

Abstract

Objective
Cryptosporidium parvum is a globally important enteric protozoan with recognized veterinary and zoonotic significance; however, data on its occurrence in pet birds in Iraq remain limited. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum in pet lovebirds (Agapornis spp.) in Babylon Province, Iraq, using both conventional microscopic methods and molecular techniques. It also aimed to characterize the detected isolates through sequence and phylogenetic analyses.
Materials and methods
A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from pet lovebirds in various farm locations in Babylon, Iraq between October 2025 and January 2026. The Ziehl Neelsen stain was applied for the detection of Cryptosporidium parvum. Molecular detection of Cryptosporidium parvum was performed using a nested polymerase chain reaction (nested-PCR) targeting the partial region of the 18S rRNA gene. DNA was extracted from fecal samples. Polymerase chain reactions (PCR) with 50 μL final volume were performed. PCR products were electrophoresed on 1% agarose gel. Ten representative PCR-positive samples were selected for sequencing analysis. The Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 11 (MEGA11) software made the phylogram, and Clustal W did the alignments. The NCBI blast n server was used to compare the sequences. SPSS software was used to analyze the data.
Results
Molecular analysis revealed a significantly higher prevalence (34%, 34/100) compared to microscopic detection (21%, 21/100) (χ² = 6.70, p < 0.05), highlighting the superior sensitivity of PCR-based methods. Sequence analysis of the partial 18S rRNA gene showed the highest similarity to Cryptosporidium parvum isolates deposited in GenBank (99.15-99.79%). Phylogenetic tree analysis (PX907836, PX907837, PX907838, PX907839, PX907840, PX907841, PX907842, PX907843, PX907844, PX907845) targeting the partial 18S rRNA gene demonstrated that all isolates clustered closely with international reference strains, indicating low genetic divergence and possible epidemiological linkage. Spatial distribution showed the highest prevalence in Al-Kifl district (44%, 11/25), followed by Al-Hilla (36%, 9/25), while lower rates were observed in Al-Hashimia and Al-Musayyib (28%, 7/25 each), with no significant variation (p > 0.05). Minimal differences were observed between males (35.3%, 23/65) and females (31.4%, 11/35).
Conclusion
Collectively, these findings confirm the endemic presence of Cryptosporidium parvum in pet birds in Babylon Province and emphasize the importance of integrating molecular and phylogenetic approaches to enhance diagnostic accuracy and better understand transmission dynamics.

Keywords

References

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Agricultural Biotechnology Journal

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Available Online from 08 June 2026

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