Objective: Cryptosporidium spp. can be transmitted through drinking water, which is an important public health problem. The aim of our study is to investigate the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in water resources in Mardin Province.

Methods: Between April 2022 and May 2022, 56 water samples were collected from various water sources such as fountains, wells, ponds, streams and pools in eight districts of Mardin province. Kinyoun acid-fast staining, carbon fuchsin staining and safranin methylene blue staining methods were used to detect Cryptosporidium species. Carbol fuchsin, malachite green and safranin were used as the ground dyes in carbol fuchsin staining method. In addition, a rapid diagnostic test was used for Cryptosporidium spp. detection. The staining properties of oocysts at 45, 70 and 100°C were investigated, as well.

Results: Of the evaluated water samples, 25 (44.64%) were stream water, 14 (25%) were tap water, 13 (23.22%) were well water, and two (3.57%) were of the pond and pool. Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst was detected in five of the stream water samples. Cryprosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in five (8.92%) samples by Kinyoun’s acid-fast staining, in two samples (3.57%) by three modifications of negative staining and by safranin-methylene blue staining. Staining of the samples in 95% ethyl alcohol, pure methanol, and potassium dichromate revealed equal rates of positivity, except for the samples in potassium dichromate with malachite green negative staining. In the rapid cassette test, positivity was detected in two samples (3.57%) from Nusaybin and Yeşilli districts. It was found that the oocysts started to take the final paint color at 45, 70 and 100°C.

Conclusion: Cryptosporidium contamination has been found in environmental water resources of Mardin province. The most suitable staining method was detected as Kinyoun’s acid-fast staining method.