Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. In calves and different water resources

Abstract

The study was planned to show the prevalence of Cryotosporidium spp. in calves and water sources in Salahaddin governorate. The study included 137 faecal samples of calves in the villages and indoor husbandry from Al-Ishaky private farm, 87 males and 50 females for period from beginning of July 2000 to end of April 2001. The age of calves was ranging from one month to one year. Water samples were collected from tap water, panel of Tikrit city, pond water of rain, river water and sewage water. Detection of Cryptosporidium oocysts was done by modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Carbol Fuccin Dimethyl Sulfoxide Methods, Direct Immunofluorescent Test was also used in water samples. The rate of infection in calves was (37.95%); in males (40.2%) being higher than females (34%). The distribution of infection was highest among calves below one month (43.2%) of age. The highest rate of Cryptosporidium was in summer (50%) and the lowest was in winter (18.5%). In the number of oocysts per liter of filtrated tap water was (0.2 oocysts/ liter), which was lower than infiltrated water of Tikrit planet (3 oocysts/ liter), pond water (20 oocysts/ liter), river water (6 oocysts/ liter) and farm water (40 oocysts/ liter). In sewage water, oocyst was isolated only in one sample (0.1 oocyst/ liter). There was a strong correlation between turbidity of water samples and number of oocysts detected; as water samples with highest turbidity contained greatest number of oocysts.