The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium in cattle and sheep from the North Pioneer mesoregion of the state of Paraná. For this, 317 stool samples were collected from cattle and sheep on 16 properties in six municipalities in the North Pioneer mesoregion of Paraná. For detection of Cryptosporidium species, molecular analysis was performed using nested-PCR techniques targeting the 18S rRNA gene. Of the 37 beef cows and 115 calves analyzed, four (10.8%) and 14 (12.2%), respectively, were positive for Cryptosporidium. Of the 12 cows and 52 calves, one (8.3%) and 14 (26.9%), respectively, were positive for Cryptosporidium; and of the 42 ewes and 59 lambs, six (14.3%) and 12 (20.3%), respectively were positive for Cryptosporidium. Cattle (15.3%) and sheep (17.8%) were both susceptible to infection. All the properties of the municipalities of Assaí, Ibaiti and, Leópolis presented infected animals. The study showed that Cryptosporidium occurs in most municipalities assessed, that dairy calves had a higher risk (Odds Ratio=2,66, p-value=0,018) for infection than beef calves, and that sheep are just as susceptible to infection as are cattle, and that further Cryptosporidium studies are developed.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-helminthic effect of a commercial formulation Bioverm® (Duddingtonia flagrans) in 28 sheep naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes. Animals were classified into two groups: G1 (n=14) treated with nematophagous fungi and G2 (n=14) untreated control. The efficacy of the anti-helminthic drug was assessed based on the egg count per gram of feces (EPG) of strongyles, larval culture, hemogram, leukogram, plasma protein levels, mucosal coloration using the FAMACHA© method, animals body weight, and evaluating the ocular mucosa for the FAMACHA© anemia guide were performed at days 0, 30, 60, 90, 120, 150, and 180. Additionally, the nematode larvae were quantified in the dry matter of the pastures of both groups. Results showed that the EPG was significantly decreased in animals receiving nematophagous fungi from D30 until the experiment end. The most common nematode genus was Haemonchus (63%), followed by Cooperia (23%) and Trichostrongylus (15%). Based on the fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), treated animals showed a reduction of fecal egg count of 58.9%, 8.6, 92.8%, 96.4%, and 96.2%, at D30, D60, D90, D120, and D180, respectively. The absolute values of red blood cells and leukocytes were significantly increased at D60 and D90, respectively, in the treated animals. A significant weight gain was observed in the treated ewes at the end of the experiment; however, there was no correlation between the EPGs values and hematocrit with the FAMACHA© degrees of animals in both experimental groups. The mean EPG of both groups and the number of infectious larvae in the pastures were not directly proportional. In conclusion, nematophagous fungi contributed to decreased parasitic load in sheep, and consequently, improve animal performance; they can be a suitable alternative to reduce problems associated with nematode infections.