The role of the Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrhea in calves and lambs

Abstract

Cryptosporidiosis is an important parasitic disease that leads to morbidity and mortality among young ruminants. In our study, 200 neonatal calves and lambs were examined for Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum). The prevalence of infection in cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs was 38.7%, 22% and 40%, respectively, by microscope and was 82.7%, 84% and 62.7%, respectively using Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) in Assiut Governorate. The total prevalence in young ruminants was 75.5%. According to the sex, the prevalence in cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs was 82.1% and 90.5% and 54.2%, respectively in males and was 83.3% and 79.3% and 77.8%, respectively in females. Concerning the age, it was 90.6% and 96.2% and 96% in cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs, respectively, with age less than 1 month and was 96.6% and 63.6% and 26.9%, respectively, with age 1-2 months. While, it was 35.7% and 76.9% and 66.7% in cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs, respectively, in age more than 2 to 3 months. The prevalence of cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs was 97.1%, 90% and 100% of farm rearing, respectively, and was 70%, 75% and 37.8% of household rearing, respectively. The prevalence according to the feces consistency of cattle calves, buffalo calves and lambs was 77.3%, 78.9% and 49% of normal feces, respectively, and was 90.3%, 87.1% and 91.7% of diarrheic feces, respectively. This finding showed a high infection rate with C. parvum in calves and lambs.