Prevalence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in calves and associated risk factors in Northeastern Brazil

A.I Conceição,C.L Mendonça,R.A.N Ramos,L.O Macedo,L.C Alves,G.A Carvalho,L.P.S Almeida

doi:10.1590/1678-4162-12109

Abstract

ABSTRACT Cryptosporidium spp. are zoonotic protozoa, frequently associated with diarrhea in calves, which are responsible for important economic losses. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of infection by Cryptosporidium spp. and its associated risk factors among calves raised in a milk production region of Northeastern Brazil. Fecal samples (n = 385) were obtained from young animals (up to ten months old) and evaluated by means of centrifugal fecal sedimentation in formalin-ether followed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining technique. In addition, Odds Ratio (OR) was calculated to evaluate associations between variables and infection by these protozoa. Out of all samples analyzed, 25.7% (99/385) scored positive for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. Contact with other species (goat and sheep) (OR = 3.33; p = 0.000), use of a semi-intensive rearing system (OR = 1.70; p = 0.024) and absence of hygienic conditions (fecal contamination of food and water) (OR = 1.64; p = 0.029) were considered to be risk factors. Data herein reported shows that the implementation of hygienic-sanitary measures on the farms studied, it is imperative to reduce Cryptosporidium spp. infection and consequently the economic impact caused by this pathogen.

Highlights

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoa that present important concerns for livestock production and public health (Meireles, 2010; Díaz et al, 2018)
In calves, especially the species C. parvum, it is responsible for clinical infections, economic losses and public health implications (Gong et al, 2017)
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in calves from Northeastern Brazil

Summary

Introduction

Cryptosporidium spp. are protozoa that present important concerns for livestock production and public health (Meireles, 2010; Díaz et al, 2018) These parasites belong to the phylum Apicomplexa, class Gregarinomorphea, and are frequently implicated in outbreaks of diarrhea worldwide (Cavalier-Smith, 2014; Clode et al, 2015; Ryan et al, 2016). They cause damage to the intestinal epithelium, leading to reduction in nutrient absorption, dehydration, and death of some animals (Thomson et al, 2017; Abreu et al, 2019). Among the main factors favoring occurrences of cryptosporidiosis, age, immunological competence and concomitant rearing of cattle with other animal species are the most relevant (Ayele et al, 2018)

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