Ali Taghipour - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Taher Azimi - Department of Pathobiology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ali Haghighi - Department of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Background and Aim:Co-infection of intestinal parasites and tuberculosis (TB) in human is one of the major health problems in developing and undeveloped countries. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia in stool samples of referred tuberculosis patients and their family to the Masih-daneshvari hospital in Tehran by using Chromotrope 2R and modified Ziehl_Neelsen staining methods and also a nested PCR techniqueMethods:A total of 181 stool samples were collected from TB patients and 97 samples were obtained from their family during September 2016 to April 2017. All the 278 stool samples were stained by using Chromotrope 2R and modified Ziehl_Neelsen methods. Extracted DNA from 8 samples microscopy positive or suspected Cryptosporidium spp and Microsporidia and also 15 samples randomly negative isolates were tested by a nested PCR techniqueResults:Out of 278 studied patients and their family, 6 (%2.15) stool specimens were infected with Cryptosporidium spp. 3(%1.07) and Microsporidia 3(%1.07) by nested PCR technique. Frequency of Cryptosporidium spp. in tuberculosis individuals and their family was 2(%1.10) and 1(%1.03) respectively. Frequency of Microsporidia in tuberculosis individuals and their family was 2(%1.10) and 1(%1.03) respectivelyConclusion:Findings of this research show that Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia infections exist among tuberculosis individuals and their family, and emphasizes the necessity of increasing awareness among clinicians regarding the occurrence of parasite infections in these tuberculosis patients. Routine examination of stool samples for parasitic infections could significantly benefit the tuberculosis infected individuals by contributing to reduce morbidity, mortality and improved quality of life.