Prevalence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in calves and associated risk factors in Northeastern Brazil

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic protozoa, frequently associated with diarrhea in calves, which are responsible for important economic losses. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. and its associated risk factors among calves raised in a milk production region of Northeastern Brazil. Fecal samples (n = 385) were obtained from young animals (up to ten months old) and evaluated by means of centrifugal fecal sedimentation in formalin-ether followed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. In addition, Odds Ratio (OR) was calculated to evaluate associations between variables and infection by these protozoa. Out of all samples analyzed, 25.7% (99/385) scored positive for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. Contact with other species (goat and sheep) (OR = 3.33; p = 0.000), use of a semi-intensive rearing system (OR = 1.70; p = 0.024) and absence of hygienic conditions (fecal contamination of food and water) (OR = 1.64; p = 0.029) were considered to be risk factors. Data herein reported shows that the implementation of hygienic-sanitary measures on the farms studied, it is imperative to reduce Cryptosporidium spp. infection and consequently the economic impact caused by this pathogen.

Cryptosporidium in Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Humans, and Manure in and around Adama and Asella Towns, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

“…Considering the age category of cattle, a higher prevalence (28.6%) was reported in the (1-12 months) age group. This result was in line with the prevalence of 27.8% in Haramaya (Regassa et al, 2013), 24% in South Eastern Ethiopia (Birhanu et al, 2017), 28.1% in Nigeria (Ayinmode and Fagbemi, 2010), and 25.7% in Brazil (Conceição et al, 2021). However, it is higher than the ndings from different parts of Ethiopia: 13.8% from East Wollega, 10% from Tigrai, 13% from Southern Ethiopia; 13.6% from Bishoftu; and 10.8% from West Showa (Ayana and Alemu, 2015;Hailu et al, 2020;Mullusew et al, 2020;Ebiyo and Haile, 2022;Ki eyohanes et al (2022).…”

Enteroparasitoses em rebanhos bovinos de três propriedades rurais da região metropolitana do Vale do Paraíba – SP

“…As espécies de helmintos e protozoários identificadas estão expostas na Figura 1. No presente trabalho, apesar de alguns bezerros apresentarem uma aparência abatida e com fezes diarreicas, nas 3 propriedades rurais que foram coletadas amostras fecais não foi identificado positividade para Cryptosporidium sp., o que contraria resultados identificados por outros autores (Conceição et al, 2021;Feitosa et al, 2004).…”

Identification, molecular characterization and factors associated with occurrences of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves on dairy farms in Brazil

“…This clinical sign may be associated with the presence of Cryptosporidium itself, which leads to malabsorption due to atrophy of intestinal microvilli, or through association with other agents (Oliveira et al, 2012). Although Cryptosporidium infection is related to the presence of diarrhea, asymptomatic animals can also eliminate oocysts (Conceição et al, 2021), thus playing an important role as a source of environmental contamination (Thomson et al, 2017).…”