An Incidence of intestinal protozoa infection in sheep, sheep handlers and non-handlers in Wasit Governorate/ Iraq

intestinal protozoa in human usually incriminated in diarrhea, whenthere are suitable conditions in the intestinal lumen that promote the parasite multiplication. This study aimed to investigate the cyst and trophozoites infection in sheep and handlers. One-hundred eighty fecal samples from sheep and 50 from handlers, were collected from three different areas (Al-Hafriya, Al-Suwaira, and Al-Azizia) in Wasit governorate. Sheep aged 7-36 months, while handlers were 10- 40 years. Fecal samples were examined directly and by staining methods to detect intestinal protozoa cysts and trophozoites. Al- Suwaira showed highest infection rates, 91.66%, and 87.5%, in sheep and handlers, respectively. Male represented higher infection rates than female in sheep (90.69%) and handlers (75%). In conclusion, this study approved the incidence of intestinal protozoa infection in sheep and sheep handlers. The authors suggest doing another future study in different areas of the Wasit to investigate the prevalence rate of the intestinal protozoa