PREVALENCE OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM SPP. IN CAMELS AND H UMANS RELATED TO CAMELS IN YAZD PRO VINCE, IRAN Sazmand, A. 1 , Rasooli, A. 1 , Nouri, M. 1 , Hamidinejat, H. 1 , Hekmatimoghaddam, S. 2 1 Faculty of veterinary medicine, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran 2 Faculty of paramedicine, Shahid Sadoughi University of medical sciences, Yazd, Iran SUMMARY Although clinical infection with cryptosporidium in camels is rare, but regarding the zoonotic nature of this parasite, we investigated the prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in dromedary camels and humans related to them in Yazd province, a semi-arid region in center of Iran. During 4 seasons (winter 2008, summer 2009, winter 2009 and summer 2010), 200 fecal samples were collected from camels. Also, 100 abomasal mucosa and related fecal samples of the slaughtered camels were investigated. After staining by modified Ziehl-Neelsen method, the prepared specimens were studied microscopically. Results were analyzed using SPSS 16. The rate of infection in feces and abomasal mucosa of camels were 20.33 and 12 percent, respectively. Also, simultaneous fecal and mucosal infection was detected in 3 cases in winter. Statistical analyses showed no significant relation between infection and age of camels, their sex and season. Cryptosporidiosis in people who were in long-term touch with camels was also investigated microscopically by obtaining stool samples of 100 individuals (50 in summers, 50 in winters), 24 of them being infected with Cryptosporidium spp. The rate of infection was higher in winter than summer (16/50 compared with 8/50). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in camels and related humans in Yazd province is relatively considerable and of public health importance. INTRODUCTIO N Cryptosporidiosis is one of the important zoonotic diseases caused by Cryptosporidium spp. and its transmitting route is fecal-oral. Many mammals are affected by pathologic changes induced by this parasite, including human [1]. This pathogenic protozoan causes chronic diarrhea in those who have immune-suppression, but may induce only an acute self-limiting enteritis in those with intact immune system [2]. Infection with this parasite is a serious problem because of lack of widespread access to efficient therapy. Besides its medical importance, infection in animals may cause enormous economic impact because of high infection rate and decrease in production which is the result of emaciation and general malaise in diseased animals [1]. Gharagozleu reported the first case of cryptosporidiosis in Iran at early 1980s [3]. Iranian researchers indicated this infection in human and animals in different parts of the country. Nouri, Razavi et al., Borji et al. and Nazifi et al. studied the prevalence of the parasite in camels around Iran [4-7]. Nouri and colleagues reported the incidence of asymptomatic cryptosporidiosis in sheep and cattle and the