Abstract

The need for maintaining pets, such as dogs, is increasing along with the human population. When individuals keep dogs as their pets, they must be aware of disease transmission from dogs. One of the disease agents transmitted from pets to their owners is Cryptosporidium spp. causing cryptosporidiosis. The aim of the present study was to detect Cryptosporidium spp. infection in dogs through a fecal examination using the acid-fast staining method (Ziehl Neelsen) confirmed with the molecular examination of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Detection of Cryptosporidium sp. in feces of dogs was set up by using an acid-fast staining method. Positive results of the acid-fast staining were further confirmed using PCR. Polymerase Chain Reaction used primary AB210854 specific to the Cryptosporidium canis and S139-S141 genes which were specific primary for the Cryptosporidium parvum gene. Results of the acid-fast staining showed that 80% of the samples (40 samples from total samples) were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. Further detection using PCR showed that four samples were positive for Cryptosporidium canis infection, and two samples showed positive results of Cryptosporidium parvum infection. Dog samples were mostly infected with Cryptosporidium spp. including Cryptosporidium canis and Cryptosporidium parvum through a fecal examination using acid-fast staining and PCR.