Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves in France

Cryptosporidium infection is one of the major causes of acute gastroenteritis and diarrhoea caused by a protozoan parasite affecting vertebrates and humans. The disease is prevalent in cases of immunocompromised individuals. Despite the impact of the diseases in calf and hospitalized humans, well-documented studies are not available in the study area. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and hospitalized humans and assess the major associated risk factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection in calves and hospitalized humans. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 on calf and human Cryptosporidium infection in Libo Kemkem District, North West Ethiopia. A total of 193 calves and 122 human stool samples admitted to the hospital were used for this study. Three kebeles were selected purposely, and individual calves were selected using a simple random sampling method. A number of sampled calves were allocated proportionally to the selected kebeles. Human samples were collected using a systematic random sampling method. Faecal and stool samples were examined using a modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. The overall prevalence of calf and human Cryptosporidium infection found in this study was 15.5% and 11.5%, respectively. Age of calf, breed, body condition, water source, faecal consistency and hygienic condition were found significantly (p<0.05) associated with Cryptosporidium infection in the calf. Similarly, the source of potable water, immunocompromisation and contact with domestic animals were found to be significantly (p<0.05) associated with Cryptosporidium infection in humans. There was a higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and humans in Libo Kemkem District. Therefore, the implementation of proper prevention methods of zoonotic Cryptosporidium infection between calf and human beings through significant risk factors is mandatory. Furthermore, additional studies to investigate the levels of economic importance of the disease should be conducted.

Rearing system with nurse cows and risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in organic dairy calves

IntroductionCryptosporidium species, a zoonotic enteric coccidian parasite, is among the leading causes of diarrhea in children. We evaluated the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in calves, factors associated with calf infection, environmental contamination of manure by Cryptosporidium and factors that expose humans to zoonotic transmission in Asembo.Methodsin a cross-sectional study conducted from January to July 2015, we collected fecal specimens from 350 randomly selected calves aged ≤ 6 months old and 187 manure samples from the same farms. We assessed farmers’ knowledge about Cryptosporidium and collected data on characteristics using structured questionnaires. Modified Ziehl Nielsen staining was used to detect Cryptosporidium oocysts from calves’ stool and manure. The prevalence of infected calves and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% (CI) were calculated to identify possible factors associated with Cryptosporidium infection; multivariable logistic regression performed to identify factors independently associated with the presence of Cryptosporidium.Resultscalves’ fecal Cryptosporidium prevalence was 8.3% (95% CI: 5.7-11.8) and 7.5% (95% CI: 4.2-12.2) in manure. Odds of infection was higher in calves with loose stool compared to those with normal stool (AOR = 6.1, 95% C.I: 2.2-16.9), calves ≤ 2 months old compared to older calves (AOR=12.7, 95% C.I: 4.5-35.8) and calves in poor sanitation compared to calves in good hygienic conditions (AOR = 9.9, 95% C.I: 3.1-30.7).Conclusionpresence of Cryptosporidium species in calves and environment and reported human contact with animals increases zoonotic risk. We recommend further studies that determine specific Cryptosporidium species infecting animals and humans which would better estimate risk of disease transmission to humans.

This study was conducted throughout the year on 93 calves from different regions of Baghdad province.Three age groups included; Below 1 month, 1-2 months and above 6 months. A changed aim-the techniqueof stain Neelsen (MZN) has been used for the identification of the development of cryptosporidium and fecaldiarrheic samples.In biochemical research, blood samples have been obtained. Cryptosporidium occurrence was much higherin spring season (56%), followed by the winter (52%), the allergy season (46%), and lowermost in a seasonof summer (40%).The highest rate of infection in animals which was given was the age group of theanimals that under the age of 30 days (71%), 2-6 months were (59%) and (43%) were over 6 months old.The animals concerned reported substantial rises in plasma, urea and creatinine relative to stable animalsin the management of biochemical changes. Finally, Age and seasonal changes were associated withcryptosporidiosis. The biochemical factors affected by the calves also have a negative effect.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine prevalence and risk factors of cryptosporidiosis in bovine from two contrasting production system in and around Tanga municipality between May 2003 and January 2004. The study populations comprised 117 calves aged ≤3 months, randomly selected from 44 smallholders dairy and traditional managed herds, respectively. Individual calf and herd-level information was collected using a structured questionnaire and feacal samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp oocysts using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Overall, 35% of the calves in the study were shedding Cryptosporidium spp oocysts, with at least one positive calf detected in 54.5% of herds. Independent risk factors for cryptosporidiosis were: age ≥1 to ≤2 months and level of cleanness of calf house floor categorized as dirty (P < .05). Similarly an increases risk of Cryptosporidium spp infection was found in calves from smallholder dairy units compared to traditional herds (P < .05). The finding highlights that Cryptosporidium spp is prevalent among calves in the area under study. The high prevalence of cryptosporidiosis detected in this study suggests that it may have a significant impact on livestock industry and that the close interaction between cattle and human may play a role in zoonotic transmission to humans.

Prevalence and clinical significance of Cryptosporidium infection in patients with hepatitis B virus-associated acute-on-chronic liver failure

Purpose Cryptosporidiosis, caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium, is a zoonotic disease that affects young animals and humans. The study was conducted from October 2020 to May 2021, with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and assessing the associated risk factors in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was adopted during the study period. Initially, 35 dairy farms were selected using a systematic study approach from which a total of 384 calves under the age of 12 months (75 calves from intensive, 51 from semi-intensive, and 258 from extensive dairy farms) were selected purposively for fecal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of each calf and tested for Cryptosporidium oocysts using Sheather's flotation and a modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining procedure. The data were analyzed using STATA statistical software version 13. ResultsCryptosporidium infection was found in 53 of the 384 calves investigated, with an overall prevalence of 13.8% (95% CI = 8.1–17.6). Logistic regression analysis on the risk factors showed that types of farm, age, body condition scores, fecal consistency, types of feed, source of water, and farm hygiene were found to have a statistically significant influence on the shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts by the calves (p < 0.05). Calves under the age of six months had a higher likelihood (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.0–4.2, p < 0.001) of shedding the oocysts than the calves of 6 to 12 months of age. It was also confirmed that calves with poor body condition scores had a higher likelihood (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–3.7, p=0.024) of shedding the Cryptosporidium oocysts than other ones. The likelihood of shedding a Cryptosporidium oocyst by the diarrheic calves was higher than by the nondiarrheic ones (OR = 3.1, p < 0.001). The infection was 2.6 times highest (16.8%, 31/185, 95% CI = 14.5–19.1, OR = 2.6, p=0.028) in calves feeding on grass alone, followed by milk and grass (15%) and milk (4.2%). Similarly, it was 2.2 times higher (18.5%, OR = 2.2, and p=0.002) in calves drinking river water than in calves drinking tap water. Moreover, calves kept under poor hygiene were more likely to shed Cryptosporidium oocysts (OR = 2.8, p=0.001) than calves kept under good hygiene. Conclusion In conclusion, cryptosporidiosis is one of the health problems of calves in and around Nekemte town, East Wollega zone. Our findings confirmed that risk factors such as types of farm, age, body condition scores, fecal consistency, types of feed, water source, and farm hygienic status were found to have a significant effect on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in the calves. While the molecular-based study is required to be carried out aiming at species identification and the epidemiology of the parasite, particular attention should be paid to the control of the disease in the study area.

SUMMARY The prevalence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection were examined in 445 Holstein calves at 10 dairy farms in western Washington, near Seattle. Fifty-one percent (176) of calves in the 7- to 21-day-old age group (n = 342) were positive for oocysts in the feces by carbolfuchsin staining. Prevalence and intensity of infection were highest in calves 8 to 14 days old; prevalence was 60% in this group, and 48% of the Cryptosporidium-positive calves had oocyst shedding at a 4 + level. A seasonal pattern in prevalence was not evident.

Cryptosporidium species infects a wide number of animals including livestock all over the world. The current study was done to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among cattle in the Central Region of Ghana. Two hundred and eighty-seven (287) faecal samples were randomly collected from animals on eight cattle farms in four districts across two agroecological zones. A commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (CoproELISA, Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Israel) for Cryptosporidium was used in the detection of Cryptosporidium antigens in faecal samples. Characteristics of the animals such as age, sex, and location, as well as consistency of faecal samples, were collected. Pearson's chi-square or Fisher's exact test was used to determine the association between explanatory variables and Cryptosporidium infection while a logistic regression model was also used to determine the risk of infection. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 23.7% (95% CI, 18.7-28.6). Prevalence was significantly higher (p = 0.049) among cattle aged 12-month old and above compared to those under 12 months of age. Among the four districts in the study area, Cape Coast metropolis recorded a significantly higher prevalence (60.5%; CI, 49.3-71.8), (p < 0.001) compared to the other three. Furthermore, a significant association was observed between the consistency of faecal samples and Cryptosporidium infection (p = 0.042). The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was also significantly higher among cattle from the coastal savanna zone (26.9%; 95% CI, 21.0-32.8) compared to those from the semideciduous forest area (p = 0.017). Cattle in the forest zone had a lower risk of being infected with the parasite compared to those from the coastal savanna zone (OR 0.408; 95% CI, 0.182-0.915). In conclusion, Cryptosporidium was prevalent among cattle in the Central Region of Ghana. A higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection occurred in older animals and among animals in the coastal agroecological zone. The area of location and age of animals were identified as risk factors for Cryptosporidium infection in the Central Region of Ghana.

The present study was conducted on 120 newly born calves (37 mixed breed, 66 native breed and 17 buffaloes calves), aged from one day to 6 months, they examined during the period from April 2014 to April 2016, these animals belong to some villages and farms from Assiut governorate. The overall prevalence was15.83 % (20.89% in calves less than two months, 11.36% in calves' from 2-4months with no infection rate from 4-6 months).the prevalence of Cryptosporidiosis in village shad higher rate of infection (19.23%) than farms (9.52%) in Assiut governorate. Mixed breed calves were more susceptible (24.32%) than native breed calves (13.64%) followed by buffalo calves (5.88%). Male calves were more susceptible than female calves to infection {males 16.44% (12/73) – females 14.89% (7/47)}. The clinical findings of cryptosporidiosis in examined calves were showed mild to severe diarrhea with varying degree of dehydration. Some cases were feverish. The state of appetite was different according to the severity of illness. The feces were varied from pasty to watery in consistency, pale yellow, yellow or greenish in color and sometimes contained mucous and blood. Higher infection rate was in non-hot months (22.95%) than hot months (8.47%). The molecular technique used for identification of Cryptosporidium infection in calves was nested PCR which is highly sensitive as a diagnostic tool for cryptosporidiosis and allow a rapid diagnosis in outbreak situations and provide information on genotypes.

This study aimed to comparatively determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in calves grown at dairies under farm or village conditions at the Kars Province using modified acid-fast (mAF) staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Stool samples constituting the study material were collected between March and June 2011 from rectums of calves at 22 centers in the villages and farms of the Kars Province. Calves were divided into 2 groups: 3-90 days old (up to 3 months old) and 91-180 days old (older than 3 months). The study material comprised 313 stool samples (146 diarrheal samples and 167 healthy samples). Each of the samples was first examined using mAF staining; of these samples, 222 were examined using the C. parvum ELISA kit (Bio-X Diagnostics), whereas 91 were examined using the Cryptosporidium commercial ELISA kit (Diagnostic Automation, Inc., USA) for the presence of Cryptosporidium copro-antigens. The incidence of the presence of Cryptosporidium among the calves was 3.8% (12/313) with mAF staining and 5.1% (16/313) with ELISA. All the samples in which the presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was determined using mAF staining were determined to be positive using ELISA. Cryptosporidium was found to be present in 5.5% (8/146) and 7.5% (11/146) of diarrheal calves, 2.4% (4/167) and 3.0% (5/167) of healthy calves, 4.0% (10/253) and 5.5% (14/253) of calves aged up to 3 months, and 3.3% (2/60) (via both tests) of calves aged 3-6 months. C. parvum was present in 5.9% (13/222) of the calves; it was found at a higher concentration in calves aged up to 3 months (6.2%; 12/194) than in those aged 3-6 months (3.6%; 1/28). Of the C. parvum-positive cases, 9 cases were found to have diarrhea, whereas 4 were observed to be healthy. C. parvum copro antigens were observed at the highest level (7.4%; 8/108) in diarrheal calves aged up to 3 months. At the species level, the rate of incidence of Cryptosporidium copro-antigens in calves examined using ELISA for determining Cryptosporidium factors was found to be 3.3% (3/91), and the same rate was found 3.4% (2/59) in calves aged up to 3 months and 3.1% (1/32) in those aged 3-6 months. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections among the calves was observed to decrease in recent years.

Cattle cryptosporidiosis is noted worldwide with varied frequency of infection prevalence depending on geographical, environmental and husbandry factors. In this study, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in cattle was determined on the basis of molecular results obtained by testing 1601 faecal samples collected from calves up to 4 months of age housed in all Polish provinces from 2014 to 2018. Detection and identification of Cryptosporidium species was performed at the 18 small subunit ribosomal RNA (18S rRNA) locus by conducting PCR–RFLP analysis of the amplified DNA fragments. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in the cattle population was 45.3% (CI 95%: 42.8–47.7; 725/1601). The infected animals were housed on 233/267 (87.3%) of monitored farms with regional prevalence ranging from 27.8 to 62%. The restriction pattern of 18S rRNA amplicons for positive samples was characteristic of C. parvum, C. bovis, C. ryanae, C. andersoni, and unexpectedly also of C. baileyi and C. suis. Infections of C. bovis and C. ryanae prevailed in the studied cattle population relegating C. parvum to third in prevalence. Likewise, mixed infections caused by C. bovis and C. ryanae as well as C. parvum and C. bovis were observed. A relationship between the infecting parasite species and animal breed was found. For instance, C. parvum prevailed in Black and White lowland breed, C. ryanae in Limousine cattle and C. andersoni in dairy animals of mixed dairy breeds. Furthermore, differences in prevalence of particular parasite species between cattle breeds were also shown.

Cryptosporidium is one of the causative parasitic agents that causes gastrointestinal diseases in calves. The parasite poses a zoonotic risk to immunocompromised individuals and children. Thus, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves in three Egyptian governorates situated in Nile Delta and assess the associated risk factors. The Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 81 out of 430 calves (18.84%). In addition, the univariant analysis showed that age, feeding source, hygienic status, presence of diarrhea and contact with other animals were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with Cryptosporidium prevalence in calves. Furthermore, the risk factors related with Cryptosporidium prevalence were age (OR 1.96, 95%CI 0.97–3.94), feeding on milk and pasture (OR 2.07, 95%CI 1.15–3.72), poor hygienic condition (OR 2.25, 95%CI 1.28–3.94), presence of diarrhea (OR 2.47, 95%CI 1.23–4.96) and contact with other domestic animals (OR 2.08, 95%CI 1.24–3.50). In addition, the PCR assay targeting 18srRNA showed that the most prevalent species among calves was C. parvum. Although additional researches are required to understand the most effective steps that farmers and veterinary professionals should take to decrease the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection.

Cryptosporidium species are intestinal protozoan parasites that infect and cause diarrhoea in animals and humans. The current study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. In this cross-sectional study, four hundred eighteen documented HIV-infected participants from four health facilities that provide antiretroviral therapy (ART) services across the Central region of Ghana were selected by systematic random sampling. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (CoproELISATM, Cryptosporidium Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Ashdod, Israel) was used to detect Cryptosporidium antigens in stool samples obtained from participants. Information regarding participants’ sociodemographic characteristics and clinical symptoms as well as potential environmental and behavioral risk factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests were used to determine associations between Cryptosporidium infections and explanatory variables, while risk factors were assessed using multivariate logistic regression analysis. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection among HIV-infected participants in this study was 6.2% (95% CI: 3.90–8.54). Cryptosporidium was not significantly associated with any of the sociodemographic variables, patient clinical symptoms, and environmental factors. However, the prevalence of the parasite was significantly higher 25% (95% CI: 1.17–48.83; p = 0.013) among participants who did not always wash their hands before meals and those who did not always wash vegetables before eating them, 23.5% (95% CI: 1.05–46.01; p = 0.016). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that participants who used public water closet facilities were approximately 9 times more likely to become infected with the parasite than those who practised open defecation (OR: 8.83; 95% CI: 1.22–64.13; p = 0.031). In conclusion, Cryptosporidium is prevalent among HIV-infected patients in the Central region of Ghana. An important risk factor identified was the use of the public water closet toilet facility. More attention should be given to ensuring cleanliness at shared water closet facilities in addition to adequate disinfection of hands after using such facilities.

Cryptosporidiosis is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Cryptosporidium spp., sometimes leading to severe diarrhea in humans and animals. In the present study, 311 parrots, belonging to four species, namely, Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus), Lovebirds (Agapornis sp.), Alexandrine parakeets (Psittacula eupatria), and Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), from Beijing and Weifang cities, were examined for Cryptosporidium spp. infection. Blood samples of each bird were examined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and fecal samples were examined by Sheather's sugar flotation technique. Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection were 3.22% (10/311) and 0.64% (2/311) by ELISA and Sheather's sugar flotation technique, respectively. Seroprevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in different breeds varied from 0 to 15.39%. Sequencing analysis showed that both positive samples from fecal samples belonged to Cryptosporidium avian genotype V. This is the first report of Cryptosporidium avian genotype V in Budgerigars. The results of the present study provided foundation-data for prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis in pet birds in China.