Prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in young livestock and dogs in Magude District of Maputo Province, Mozambique

Abstract

Background: Giardia and Cryptosporidium species are significant zoonotic parasites of humans and domesticated animals.Objectives: The study aimed to determine the prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium in livestock and dogs of the Magude District.Method: The flotation technique (Willis), modified Ziehl-Neelsen (mZN) and direct and indirect immunofluorescence (DIF and IIF) techniques were applied to determine the prevalence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium species in faecal samples of dog pups (156), goat kids (60) and calves (480) from the Magude District of Mozambique from February to September 2015.Results: Using Willis, IIF and DIF, the prevalence of Giardia in calves was 0%, 8.1%, and 6.0%; in dogs 0.6%, 8.3% and 5.7% and for goats 0% and 13.3% (IIF was not performed), respectively. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in calves using Willis, mZN, IIF and DIF was 0%, 3.8%, 4.7% and 0.4% and in dogs 0%, 0.6%, 6.4% and 0.6%, respectively. The parasite was not detected in goats.Conclusion: Results from the present study showed that IIF performed better diagnosis of Giardia and Cryptosporidium, and that the mZN can be used as an alternative for Cryptosporidium because of the high cost of IIF. There is a need for identification of genotypes or subtypes of these parasites through application of molecular techniques in order to determine their zoonotic potential, and we advocate a ‘one health’ approach in the control and prevention of these parasites.

Sparse Evidence for Giardia intestinalis, Cryptosporidium spp. and Microsporidia Infections in Humans, Domesticated Animals and Wild Nonhuman Primates Sharing a Farm–Forest Mosaic Landscape in Western Uganda

“…Our findings suggest that humans and livestock in Bulindi also have low levels of protist infections compared to results of surveys elsewhere in Africa (e.g., [ 67 , 68 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ]), including the only previous study using amplification by PCR and sequencing conducted in Uganda (around Kibale National Park, 150 km south of Bulindi). In that study, 40.7% of 108 human fecal samples were positive for G. intestinalis [ 31 ].…”

Occurrence of Intestinal Parasites of Public Health Significance in Fresh Horticultural Products Sold in Maputo Markets and Supermarkets, Mozambique

“…In Mozambique there is only one study on intestinal parasites occurrence related to fresh horticultural products for human consumption, published in a Mozambican scientific journal [ 25 ]. Other reports about parasites are usually connected to human [ 18 , 26 ] and veterinary medicine [ 17 ].…”

“…On this continent, studies on the prevalence of intestinal parasites associated with vegetables and fruits have been performed mostly in Egypt, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ghana. In Mozambique, a country located in Southern Africa, there are few studies about the prevalence of parasites associated with children, pets, and livestock [ 8 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ]. Thus, the present study aimed to understand the occurrence of intestinal parasites in fresh horticultural products sold in the most populous municipal markets and in the two largest supermarkets in the country’s capital, Maputo, and in an agricultural zone that supplies the city, located in the peri-urban area of Maputo.…”

Cryptosporidiosis and Giardiasis in Buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

“…The most frequently used routine techniques for examining stained slides to identify Cryptosporidium spp. are the modified Ziehl–Neelsen ( 54 , 55 ), modified Kinyoun ( 56 , 57 ), and methylene blue safranin ( 58 , 59 ) stains. Additionally, the negative coloring observed with the malachite green technique ( 53 , 60 ) can be used.…”