Backgrounds Many wild-caught reptiles harbor some kind of parasites. Captivity with negative effect of poor sanitary and husbandry management may lead to clinical disease. The increasing trend in keeping non-native reptile species in the last decade emerged a need for the specification of reptile parasites and their hosts. Objectives The study aims to gain data on intestinal parasites of reptiles kept as pets or in small private collections in close contact with people. Methods A combination of native and iodine stained direct smears along with flotation concentration were used to investigate parasites in pet reptiles’ feces. All samples were investigated macroscopically and a smear was prepared and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen for detection of Cryptosporidium. Results Stool samples from 100 pet or small zoological reptile collections (Lacertilia=36, Serpentes=20, Chelonii=11, Corocodilia=1) were collected. The total occurrence of parasite was 52%. 64.8% of the examined Lacertilia, 35.3% of Serpentes, 45.5% of Chelonii were infected. Eimeria, Isospora, Cryptosporidium, Trichomonas, Balantidium, Strongylid and Oxyurid eggs and amoeba were identified. Cryptosporidium was detected in Lacertilita, Serpentes and Chelonii. In the only sample from a Nile crocodile no parasites were detected. Eimeria was detected in Bearded dragon, Indian python, Albino python and king cobra and Isospora was identified in Bearded dragon and the alien Cheloniid species Red-eared slider. Amoeba was identified in Iguana iguana and Horsfield tortoise. Conclusions Trichomonads, Balantidium, Cryptosporidium, Isospora, Eimeria, amoebae and nematode eggs were identified in the investigated samples. Cryptosporidium were detected by specific stains in 14 samples. Sauria was the most infected suborder (64.8%) while 32.4% of snakes and 45.5% of chelonians were infected. Parasites are common in pet reptiles but the parasite species, the degree of infestation and hygienic management will determine the ultimate clinical outcome of the existing parasite infections. Hence examination for endoparasites should be recommended for checking the health status of all captive or newly entering reptiles.

Introduction: Chlamydiosis is a worldwide zoonotic disease caused by different microorganisms in the order Chlamydiales. The aim of this study was to detect and determine the prevalence of Chlamydia infection in pet and zoo reptiles in Tehran, Iran. Materials and Methods: In a period of 10 months from April 2015 to February 2016, swab samples were collected from cloaca and conjunctiva of 130 pet or zoo reptiles (18 snakes, 81 turtles, and 31 iguanas). A Real Time-PCR assay targeting 23s rRNA of chlamydial organisms was performed to detect chlamydial infection in clinical specimens. Results: No positive sample could be detected in the investigated clinical specimens in the present study. Conclusion: Regarding the negative results which were achieved in this study, reptiles could not be important hosts of chlamydial organisms at least in the region of the present study, Iran, Tehran. Despite the present findings in reptiles, pet and aviary birds were previously shown to be remarkable host of Chlamydia spp. in Iran. Further studies particularly serologic surveys and other PCR methods are needed to thoroughly evaluate significance of the chlamydial infection in reptiles. A rapid, accurate and cost-effective method was applied for Chlamydiaceae spp detection and discrimination of the most significant Chlamydia spp., causing disease complications in reptiles. The results indicated low zoonotic risk of Chlamydia spp in Iranian reptiles.