Volume 25 , Issue 2 , December 2023 , Pages 226-232
1 Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sulaimani, Sulaimani City, Kurdistan Region, Iraq
Blastocystosis is an infection with zoonotic parasite Blastocystis spp. commonly habitat the
intestinal tract of wide range of hosts including human, animals and birds. The study
conducted during June to November 2022 in Sulaymaniyah province for detection of
Blastocystis spp. from livestock animals. For this purpose, a total of 250 fecal samples were
collected randomly from cattle, sheep, and goats of different age groups. Based on
microscopic examination of the examined fecal smears the overall prevalence rate of
Blastocystis spp. was 24.4% among examined ruminant hosts. Higher prevalence rate has
been reported from cattle 29% followed by sheep 27%, and goats 16%, with no significant
differences. The study data confirmed Blastocystis colonization of livestock animals in the
study area, further study for detection of various subtypes by applying of molecular
techniques is essential to find out the infected subtypes and define their impact on public
health.