The Master’s thesis, titled “An Epidemiological and Molecular Study of the Cryptosporidium spp. Parasite in Some Fish Species in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate, Iraq,” was submitted to the Department of Life Sciences at the College of Education, Al-Qadisiyah University. The thesis was presented by researcher Elham Adai Hani Hamid and supervised by Professor Dr. Saadia Aziz Anah.

The thesis aimed to microscopically identify the Cryptosporidium spp. parasite in some farmed fish species, such as carp (Cyprinus carpio), and non-farmed fish species, such as planiliza abu and Arabian wrasse (Acanthopagrus arbicus). It also aimed to determine the infection rate and identify the species most susceptible to infection.

The most important conclusion is that the detection of the Cryptosporidium spp. parasite in these three fish species confirms the ability of this parasite to infect more than one fish species within a given population.  The environmental context of the study revealed monthly and spatial fluctuations in the incidence of Cryptosporum parasite infection, indicating the influence of water quality, pollution sources, and the nature of fish collection sites on the spread of this parasite.

Key recommendations include conducting broader epidemiological surveys of Cryptosporum parasites in other fish species to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the parasite’s prevalence in the Iraqi aquatic environment.