Tehran University of Medical Sciences Iranian Journal of Parasitology 1735-7020 12 2 2017 06 13 169 176 Hamed KIANI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Iranian Veterinary Organization, Hamadan, Iran Ali HAGHIGHI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Seyyed Javad SEYYEDTABAEI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Eznollah AZARGASHSB Dept. of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Nozhat ZEBARDAST Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Niloofar TAGHIPOUR Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ali ROSTAMI Dept. of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran AND Student Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Lihua XIAO Division of Foodborne, Waterborne and Environmental Diseases, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Public Health Services, Atlanta, U.S.A 2017 06 12 2017 06 12 Background: Cryptosporidium species are recognized as important gastrointestinal pathogens. This study was conducted to identify the prevalence, clinical manifestations and genotyping of Cryptosporidium spp. in patients with gastrointestinal illnesses (GIs) in western Iran. Methods: Overall, 1301 fecal samples were collected from patients with GIs referred to the 12 clinical laboratories in Nahavand County, west of Iran. Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method was used to identify the oocysts. DNA was extracted from positive samples and Cryptosporidium spp. were characterized by Nested PCR and sequence analysis of the 60-kDa glycoprotein (gp60) gene. Data analysis was performed using SPSS ver. 16. Results: Prevalence of cryptosporidiosis was 1.3% (17/1301). Cryptosporidium infection was significantly associated with vomiting and nausea (P=0.001, OR=0.013; CI 95%=0.004- 0.044), abdominal pain (P=0.018, OR=0.073; CI 95%=0.008- 0.633) and diarrhea (P=0.001, OR=0.092; CI 95%=0.023- 0.362). Of the 17 isolates typed, 11 belonged to the C. parvum IId subtype family (subtypes IIdA26G1 and IIdA20G1) and six belonged to the C. parvum IIa subtype family (subtypes IIaA15G2R1 and IIaA16G3R1). There was no significant difference between subtype families IIa and IId in occurrence of clinical symptoms (P= 0.75). Conclusion: Improved hygiene and avoidance of contact with animals and contaminated soil should be advocated to reduce the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infections, especially in children. https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/view/1623 https://ijpa.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijpa/article/download/1623/729