Abstract
Aim:Cryptosporidium is one of the causes of diarrheal illness in man and animals worldwide and is zoonotic. The study aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with fecal shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts in dogs in Lusaka district of Zambia.Materials and Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lusaka district of Zambia during 2015-2016. A total of 390 dogs (243 males and 147 females) aged 2 months-13 years were enrolled. Fecal samples were collected and stained using modified Ziehl-Neelsen and Auramine O staining techniques and examined microscopically for oocysts.Results:Overall, the prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts infection was 5.9% (23/390; 95% confidence interval: 3.9-8.7). Prevalence among male dogs and female dogs was 5.3% and 6.8%, respectively. Older dogs had a relatively higher infection rate compared to the younger puppies. There was a statistically significant difference in infection between nondescript breed and pure breeds with prevalence being higher in nondescript dog breeds. Water source was also significantly associated with Cryptosporidium infection.Conclusion:Cryptosporidium infections are common, especially among the nondescript breed of domestic dogs in Lusaka district of Zambia. Further studies to characterize the common species are warranted.
Highlights
Cryptosporidium is an intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease of humans and domestic animals
There was a statistically significant difference in infection between nondescript breed and pure breeds with prevalence being higher in nondescript dog breeds
The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dogs in Lusaka district was determined in this study, with an overall prevalence of 5.9%
Summary
Cryptosporidium is an intracellular zoonotic protozoan parasite that causes cryptosporidiosis, a diarrheal disease of humans and domestic animals. Cryptosporidium infections continue to be a significant health problem in both developed and developing countries where it is recognized as an important cause of diarrhea in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent people. Infection may be transmitted from person to person, by direct contact with infected animal or through fecal-oral route by ingestion of oocyst contaminated water and food [1,2,3]. Cryptosporidium infection in dogs occurs when oocysts from the environment are ingested. The prepatent period for Cryptosporidium canis which infects dogs varies from 2 to 14 days [4]. Infection is more common in dogs of
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