A Study of Oxidative Stress and Some Immunological Parameters as a Result of Cryptosporidiosis Among Animal Handlers

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum is a common and varied intracellular apicomplexan parasite with veterinary and public health implications. C. parvum has been linked to digestive system disease in a range of host animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and humans. Therefore, the current study aimed to evaluate oxidative stress and some immunological parameters as a result of cryptosporidiosis among animal handlers. The study included 50 people who have had experience with domestic animals (butchers and breeders). They were 10 to 50 years old. There were 43 men and 7 women. As a control, 30 seemingly healthy persons (20 males and 10 females) who had no interaction with animals and no occurrences of diarrhea in the previous two months were evaluated. A total of 120 stool and blood samples were taken from three different domestic animal species (40 cattle, 40 sheep, and 40 goats). Their contact with people involved in this study was the criterion for inclusion. Cattle 11 (27.5%) had a higher infection rate, whereas goats 6 (15%) had the lowest rate. About oxidative status, it was found that MDA levels were significantly increased (P≤0.05) and GSH and catalase levels were significantly decreased (P≤0.05) in patients with all parasitic infections compared to the control group. For cytokines, it was found that IL-4 and IL-6 levels were significantly increased (P≤0.05) in animal handlers with all parasitic infections compared to the control group. So, Cryptosporidium infection leads to increased levels of oxidative stress, cytokines, and reduced levels of antioxidant enzymes.