Abstract
A study was carried out to investigate how common Cryptosporidium infections are in beef calves in Swedish suckler herds and to explore which species and subtypes that occur. We further aimed at identifying factors associated with shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in this type of calf management. The study was conducted in two regions in Sweden and included 30 herds. Faecal samples were collected from calves younger than 3 months. A brief clinical examination was done and a questionnaire was used to collect data on management routines. Faeces were cleaned and concentrated and oocysts identified by epifuorescence microscopy. Cryptosporidium positive samples were analyzed at the 18S rRNA and GP60 genes to determine species and Cryptosporidium parvum subtype, respectively. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with infection. Oocysts were detected in 122 (36.7%) calves from 29 (97%) herds, at 400 to 2.4 × 107 OPG. The youngest positive calves were only 1 and 2 days old. There was no association between age and Cryptosporidium infection. Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae, C. parvum and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum were identified, with C. bovis being the major species. Two C. parvum subtypes, IIaA16G1R1 and IIdA27G1 were identified. Routines for cleaning calf pens and number of cows in calving pens were associated with infection.
Highlights
The protozoan genus Cryptosporidium are clinically important pathogens causing gastrointestinal disease in a variety of species, including cattle and humans (Cacciò and Widmer, 2014)
Cattle are mainly infected with four Cryptosporidium species, of which three are morphologically identical but genetically different species; C. parvum, C. bovis and C. ryanae; whereas C. andersoni can be distinguished by its larger, ovoid oocysts
We further aimed at identifying factors associated with shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in this type of calf management
Summary
The protozoan genus Cryptosporidium are clinically important pathogens causing gastrointestinal disease in a variety of species, including cattle and humans (Cacciò and Widmer, 2014). Cryptosporidium parvum is one of the most common causes of calf diarrhoea worldwide (Blanchard, 2012). One infected calf can shed billions of oocysts in the faeces, and effectively spread the infection within the herd and to the environment. Cattle are mainly infected with four Cryptosporidium species, of which three are morphologically identical but genetically different species; C. parvum, C. bovis and C. ryanae; whereas C. andersoni can be distinguished by its larger, ovoid oocysts. C. parvum has a broad host range and infects most mammals including humans and cattle whereas C. bovis and C. ryanae seem to be adapted to cattle (Robertson et al 2014)
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