Cryptosporidiosis has previously been reported in animals, humans, and water sources in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). However, most reports were only to the genus level, or generically identified as cryptosporidiosis. We aimed to investigate the genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium species occurring in diarrhetic ungulates which were brought to the Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL) in Dubai. Using a combination of microscopic and molecular methods, we identified five species of Cryptosporidium occurring among ungulates in the UAE, namely C. parvum, C. hominis, C. xiaoi, C. meleagridis, and C. equi. Cryptosporidium parvum was the most prevalent species in our samples. Furthermore, we identified subtypes of C. parvum and C. hominis, which are involved in both human and animal cryptosporidiosis. This is also the first reported occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. in the Arabian Tahr, to our knowledge. Since the animals examined were all in contact with humans, the possibility of zoonotic spread is possible. Our study correlates with previous reports in the region, building upon the identification of Cryptosporidium sp. However, there is a need to further investigate the endemic populations of Cryptosporidium, including more hosts, sampling asymptomatic animals, and location data.

Biology Centre of the Czech Academy of Sciences Institute of Parasitology 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic; Faculty of Agriculture and Technology University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Central Veterinary Research Laboratory PO Box 597 Dubai United Arab Emirates

Department of Biology College of Science United Arab Emirates University PO Box 15551 Al Ain United Arab Emirates

Department of Veterinary Medicine College Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine United Arab Emirates University PO Box 15551 Al Ain United Arab Emirates

Department of Veterinary Medicine College Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine United Arab Emirates University PO Box 15551 Al Ain United Arab Emirates; ASPIRE Research Institute for Food Security in the Drylands United Arab Emirates University P O Box 15551 Al Ain United Arab Emirates

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