Presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from dairy herds in Northern Antioquia, Colombia

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium spp. are important enteropathogen protozoan parasites that infect humans and other animals throughout the world. Cryptosporidiosis in cattle industry leads to considerable economic losses due to diarrhea, dehydration, growth retardation, weight loss, and possibly death, however, data on the occurrence ofCryptosporidiumspp. in cattle in Colombia are limited. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the occurrence and possible factors associated to the excretion of Cryptosporidium spp. oocyst in pre-weaned calves from dairy farms in Northern Antioquia, Colombia. In addition, Sheather’s sugar floatation (SSF), and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining (MZN) methods were compared. A total of 41 fecal samples were collected from calves between 1 and 92 days of age of which 23 were positive (56.1%). Crossbreed calves were nine times less susceptible than purebred dairy cattle to excretion of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts (OR=0.10). MZN was the best technique for the detection of oocysts in fecal samples, however, the mean number of days to detect cryptosporidial oocysts was lower for the SSF method. Cryptosporidium is widespread among calves under 2 months of age in dairy herds of Northern Antioquia, although further investigations considering a greater number of farms and animals are necessary.