Coprological and molecular prevalence of Cryptosporidium and Giardia in cattle and irrigation water from Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt

Abstract

Abstract Cryptosporidium and Giardia are globally significant protozoan parasites responsible for severe foodborne and waterborne outbreaks, posing substantial zoonotic and environmental risks. This study aimed to comprehensively assess the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis, giardiasis, and co-infections in Beni-Suef Governorate, Egypt, using an integrated diagnostic approach combining microscopy and molecular techniques. Additionally, it was sought to identify associated risk factors in cattle fecal samples. Microscopical examination of 970 cattle fecal samples revealed an overall infection rate of 67.42% (654/970), with Cryptosporidium detected in 42.68% (414/970), Giardia in 11.96% (116/970), and co-infections in 12.78% (124/970) of cases. In irrigation water, Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts were detected in 2/24 (8.33%) and 1/24 (4.16%) of samples, respectively. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses identified Cryptosporidium hominis in cattle and, for the first time in Egypt, Cryptosporidium ubiquitum and Cryptosporidium ryanae in irrigation water, while also proving the presence of Cryptosporidium bovis and Giardia assemblage A in cattle. Risk factors, including sex, age, season, and fecal consistency, significantly influenced infection rates, with higher prevalence in females, calves under two months, spring season, and diarrheic feces. These findings underscore the urgent need for One Health-based control strategies, integrating targeted interventions to mitigate the burden of Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections and environmental contamination.