Presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in children and pet dogs in two periurban areas in northeastern Argentina

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is an intracellular coccidian parasite that has been found to infect humans and wild, domestic, and companion animals. This study aimed to examine the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in children and their pet dogs in two periurban neighborhoods in Corrientes City, Argentina. We also evaluated the characteristics of humans, socioenvironmental features, and hygiene practices associated with the presence of this protozoan. Socio-environmental variables and children’s hygiene practices were assessed through semistructured questionnaires, which were answered by every family. Samples were concentrated using the sedimentation-flotation technique and stained using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique. Fisher’s exact test and Multiple correspondence Analysis were used for data analysis. In total, stool samples of 88 children and 69 pet dogs from 57 households were analyzed. The study showed that 5.6% of children and 11.5% of dogs were parasitized. Simultaneous infection in children and their pet dogs in two households was detected. No statistically significant association was found between socio-environmental, hygiene practices, demographic variables, and Cryptosporidium spp. In conclusion, based on our results, thepresence of this protozoan is reported in children and their pets, highlighting the need to implement molecular studies to determine the circulating species in the study area and the importance of adopting a One Health approach, because fragmented studies do not allow for a complete understanding of the parasite-host-environment system.