Cryptosporidium Parvum In Calves Research Articles

Prevalence of the pathatus Cryptosporidium parvum in syananthropic biocenoses

The purpose of the research is to determine the relationship between the infestation of Cryptosporidium parvum in calves that have regular contact with synanthropic reservoirs (rodents and birds) in the climatic zones of Udmurtia. The study of the distribution and relationship of manifestations of cryptosporidiosis was carried out among calves that have regular contact with synanthropic rodents (gray rat (Rattus norvegicus), house mouse (Mus musculus), common vole (Microtus arvalis), bank vole (Myodes glareolus)) and birds (rock dove). (Columba livia), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), jackdaw (Coloeus monedula)). In total, 255 calves, 160 rodents and 80 birds were subjected to the study.The assessment of infestation of calves, rodents and birds was carried out by generally accepted coprological flotation methods, as well as by making native smears with further Ziehl-Neelsen staining. The results obtained were evaluated using statistical methods: analysis of variance, taking into account the Fisher criterion and the Pearson correlation coefficient.The results of the research showed that in all natural and climatic zones of the Udmurt Republic a high percentage of infection with cryptosporidiosis of calves is recorded.On the territory of the southern zone, the infection rate of calves with cryptosporidiosis was 62.35%, while in captured mouselike rodents the prevalence of invasion was at the level of 37.25%, and in birds - 20.0%.In the farms located on the territory of the northern natural and climatic zone of the republic, the degree of infestation of calves reached 41.18%, the infection of rodents was 23.91%. The minimum percentage of detection of cryptosporidium oocysts among synanthropic birds was observed in the north of Udmurtia - 11.77%.The fact of the dependence of the invasion by the causative agent of cryptosporidiosis of calves on the presence of parasite carriers in farms has been established. According to the results of calculating the correlation coefficient and analysis of variance, a direct close relationship was revealed between the infection of calves and representatives of the synanthropic reservoir - rodents, birds, regularly in contact with agricultural crops. animals.

Development and Preliminary Evaluation of a Nanoparticle-Assisted PCR Assay for the Detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in Calves.

Simple SummaryAccurate and rapid detection of Cryptosporidium parvum is useful for the prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals. This study developed a nano-PCR assay for the rapid detection of C. parvum in calves for the first time, and it was ten-fold more sensitive than the normal PCR assay and had no cross-reaction with other common gastrointestinal pathogens. Further analyses of faecal samples of calves indicated potential usage of the nano-PCR assay in clinical settings.C. parvum is an important diarrheal pathogen in humans and animals, especially in young hosts. To accurately and rapidly detect C. parvum infection in calves, we established a nano-PCR assay targeting the cgd3_330 gene for the specific detection of C. parvum. This nano-PCR assay was ten times more sensitive than that of the normal PCR assay by applying the same primers and did not cross-react with C. andersoni, C. bovis, C. ryanae, Balantidium coli, Enterocytozoon bieneusi, Giardia lamblia, and Blastocystis sp. To further test the nano-PCR in clinical settings, a total of 20 faecal samples from calves were examined by using the nano-PCR, the normal PCR, and the nested PCR assays. The positive rates were 30% (6/20), 30% (6/20), and 25% (5/20) for the nano-PCR, the normal PCR, and the nested PCR assays, respectively, indicating that the nano-PCR and the normal PCR assays had the same positive rate (30%). Taken together, the present study could provide a candidate method for the specific detection of C. parvum infection in calves in clinical settings.

Comparison of different diagnostic techniques for the detection of cryptosporidiosis in bovines.

Aim:Aim of the present study was to compare different methods, viz., Sheather's sugar flotation (SSF), Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN), Kinyoun's acid-fast method (KAF), safranin-methylene blue staining (SMB), and negative staining techniques such as nigrosin staining, light green staining, and malachite green staining for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in bovines.Materials and Methods:A total of 455 fecal samples from bovines were collected from private, government farms and from the clinical cases presented to Department of Medicine, Veterinary College, Bengaluru. They were subjected for SSF, ZN, KAF, SMB and negative staining methods.Results:Out of 455 animal fecal samples screened 5.71% were found positive for Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. The species were identified as Cryptosporidium parvum in calves and Cryptosporidium andersoni in adults based on the morphological characterization and micrometry of the oocysts.Conclusions:Of all the techniques, fecal flotation with sheather's was found to be more specific and sensitive method for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Among the conventional staining methods, the SMB gives better differentiation between oocysts and yeast. Among the three negative staining methods, malachite green was found sensitive over the other methods.

Emergence of novel subtypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in calves in Poland.

The aim of the study was to identify the Cryptosporidium parvum subtypes circulating in Polish cattle and their distribution in relation to the age and health status of tested animals. In total, 779 fecal samples were obtained from young cattle originating from 237 farms. C. parvum strains were identified at the 18 small-subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA), COWP, and LIB13 loci and were subsequently analyzed by sequencing at the 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP60) locus for subtype determination. The presence of 71 C. parvum strains belonging to IIa, IId, or IIl subtype families was shown. The strains from the IIa allele family prevailed with IIaA17G1R1, IIaA17G2R1, and IIaA15G2R1 subtypes occurring frequently. Two novel subtypes IIaA10G1R1 and IIlA19R3 were detected for the first time in a bovine host. The highest C. parvum prevalence (22.5%, confidence interval (CI) = 2.5%) was observed among the youngest animals up to 2weeks of age, followed by the prevalence among those aged 2 to 4weeks (6.6%, CI = 2.6%) and then among older cattle (4.9%, CI = 2.1). The occurrence of diarrhea in animals was associated with the presence of the IIaA16G1R1b subtype, while infections caused by IIaA15G2R1 strains were more likely to be asymptomatic. The geographical distribution of subtypes revealed that strains from the IIa subtype family were detected all over the country frequently compared to the IId and IIl subtypes, the sporadic appearances of which confirmed their endemic occurrence. Subtype analysis revealed the presence of zoonotic strains indicating cattle as a reservoir for human cryptosporidiosis.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in native beef calves in central Vietnam

The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium and to characterize the genotype distribution of Cryptosporidium isolates in native beef calves 2-6 months old in Dac Lac province, central Vietnam. The presence of Cryptosporidium oocysts was determined using the modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining method. The overall prevalence on the sample and herd levels were 18.9% (44/232) and 50% (20/40), respectively. Genotyping based on PCR and sequence analysis of the 18 S rRNA gene revealed occurrence of the two nonzoonotic species Cryptosporidium ryanae and Cryptosporidium bovis, with the former as a dominant species in the animals. The absence of the zoonotic species Cryptosporidium parvum in calves examined suggests that the native beef calves 2-6 months old in the study area are unlikely to contribute to human cryptosporidiosis transmission.

Prevalence and Molecular Discrimination of Cryptosporidium parvum in Calves in Behira Provinces, Egypt

Prevalence and Molecular Discrimination of Cryptosporidium parvum in Calves in Behira Provinces, Egypt

Veterinary antiparasitic needs: met and unmet

I thank Timothy Geary et al. for their plea to obtain more support for basic parasitological research [1xThe changing landscape of antiparasitic drug discovery for veterinary medicine. Geary, T. et al. Trends Parasitol. 2004; 20: 449–455Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | PubMed | Scopus (43)See all References][1]. Before they arrive at this correct conclusion, however, there are some arguable statements made in the section headed ‘New opportunities’ in their article published in Trends in Parasitology.Under the subheading Cryptosporidium parvum infections in cattle, it is stated that ‘no drug with proven efficacy and safety is commercially available’. I would like to bring readers to the attention that, in the mid-1990s, in several European countries, a product based on halofuginone lactate (Halocur®) was introduced, with proven efficacy and safety against C. parvum in young calves [2xEfficacy of halofuginone lactate against Cryptosporidium parvum in calves. Villacorta, I. et al. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 1991; 35: 283–287Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (69)See all References, 3xThe effect of halofuginone lactate on experimental Cryptosporidium parvum infections in calves. Naciri, M. et al. Vet. Parasitol. 1993; 45: 199–207Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (61)See all References]. This product is currently registered and commercialized in most of the European Union countries.In the section dealing with tissue coccidians, the authors commented that ‘conclusive efficacy of evidence in the field even for registered vaccines for horses and cattle remains to be published’. Recently, an article was published describing the effect of a vaccine comprising killed, whole Neospora caninum tachyzoites (Bovilis® Neoguard) on the crude abortion rate in dairy cows under field conditions [4xEffect of a killed whole Neospora caninum tachyzoite vaccine on the crude abortion rate of Costa Rican dairy cows under field conditions. Romero, J.J. et al. Vet. Parasitol. 2004; 123: 149–159Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (65)See all References][4]. To complete the picture on tissue coccidians, although not for cattle, a live Toxoplasma gondii vaccine (Ovilis® Toxovax) is registered and sold in a number of European countries for immunizing susceptible ewes against the effects of T. gondii infection, namely early embryonic death and abortion [5xA commercial vaccine for ovine toxoplasmosis. Buxton, D. et al. Parasitology. 1995; 110: S11–S16Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (161)See all References, 6xVaccination of sheep with a live incomplete strain (S48) of Toxoplasma gondii and their immunity to challenge when pregnant. Buxton, D. et al. Vet. Rec. 1991; 129: 89–93Crossref | PubMedSee all References].Indeed, there are several unmet veterinary antiparasitic needs, however, for some of these needs, there are solutions already available.

Evaluation of two rapid assays for detecting Cryptosporidium parvum in calf feces

To evaluate 2 rapid, patient-side assays for detection of Cryptosporidium parvum in feces from neonatal calves with diarrhea. Diagnostic test evaluation Sample Population-Fecal samples from 96 neonatal (1 to 30 days old) calves with diarrhea. Results of the rapid assays were compared with results of microscopic examination of fecal smears that had been stained with diamant fuchsin stain. One of the rapid assays correctly identified 56 of 62 (90%) fecal samples positive for C. parvum oocysts and 33 of 34 (97%) fecal samples negative for oocysts. The other assay correctly identified 53 of 62 (85%) fecal samples positive for oocysts and 33 of 34 (97%) fecal samples negative for oocysts. Results suggest that these 2 rapid assays are accurate when used to detect C. parvum in fecal samples from neonatal calves with diarrhea.

Prevalence of and risk factors involved in the spread of neonatal bovine cryptosporidiosis in Galicia (NW Spain)

An epidemiological study was carried out on farms in Galicia (NW Spain) to investigate the prevalence of and the risk factors associated with the spread of infection by Cryptosporidium parvum in calves of less than 3 weeks of age. A total of 22 cattle farms (10 beef herds and 12 dairy herds) were visited once every 21 days between January and December 2000. A faecal sample was collected directly from the rectum of each of the 844 calves born during the study period. Each sample was studied macroscopically to establish its consistency as liquid, soft or solid, and the presence of mucus or blood noted. C. parvum oocysts were identified by direct microscopic examination and the intensity of infection established semiquantitatively as slight, moderate or severe. Of the 844 calves, 404 were found to have the parasite in their faeces, i.e. the prevalence was 47.9%. Statistical analysis of the risk factors such as general characteristics of the farm and the housing conditions of the calves, revealed three variables that significantly effect the risk of cryptosporidial infection in suckling calves: the method of cleaning, the type of flooring and the frequency of cleaning.

Cryptosporidium parvum in calves: kinetics and immunoblot analysis of specific serum and local antibody responses (immunoglobulin A [IgA], IgG, and IgM) after natural and experimental infections.

Fecal and serum anti-Cryptosporidium parvum immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, and IgG were monitored by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay after experimental and natural infection of calves with C. parvum. Although all experimentally infected calves showed high levels of colostral antibodies in the feces, they acquired C. parvum infection. Three of five animals died. Calves which acquired natural infection showed only diarrhea. Levels of colostral coproantibodies dropped quickly. Experimental infection was followed by a rise in local anti-C. parvum IgM levels from day 5 postinfection (p.i.). IgM peaked at day 14 p.i. and then disappeared quickly. Anti-C. parvum IgA levels rose between days 7 and 14 p.i. and decreased slowly. Rising levels of coproantibodies coincided with falling oocyst output. Fecal anti-C. parvum IgG levels rose slightly during oocyst output, and IgG disappeared 3 weeks p.i. Similar kinetics were established in naturally infected calves. Although fecal anti-C. parvum IgA levels declined slowly, reinfections were established 5, 7, and 14 weeks after the primary contact. Serum anti-C. parvum IgG levels rose during maximal oocyst excretion, whereas serum anti-C. parvum IgA levels peaked later than did local IgA levels. Challenge reinfection of naturally infected calves at day 112 was not followed by clinical signs or oocyst output or by a secondary antibody response. Sequential Western immunoblotting with fecal extracts revealed up to 32 different parasite antigens. Convalescent-phase sera recognized up to 23 antigens. Fecal IgA reacted intensely with antigens with relative molecular weights (M(r)) of approximately 11,000 and 15,000. These antigens were not recognized by convalescent-phase serum IgG. Both local IgA and serum IgG also showed strong reactions with 23,000- and 44,000-M(r) antigens and with several antigens of between 66,200 and 200,000 M(r). Most bands remained detectable for at least 16 weeks p.i.

Efficacy of halofuginone lactate against Cryptosporidium parvum in calves

The efficacy of halofuginone lactate against natural Cryptosporidium parvum infection in 150 neonatal market calves of a mixed Belgian breed was tested. The drug was administered orally in the milk replacer over a period of 3 to 14 days at doses ranging from 30 to 500 micrograms/kg of body weight. Over a period of 4 weeks, the animals were examined twice a week for shedding of C. parvum oocysts and were scored semiquantitatively for diarrhea. Weight gain was assessed after 2 and 4 weeks. Subclinical infections by rota-, corona-, and bovine picobirnaviruses were equally distributed in the different groups. In total, 93% of the unmedicated calves eliminated C. parvum within 10 days after arrival at the rearing unit and 62% of them showed diarrhea. Immediately after treatment with halofuginone was started, no more signs of Cryptosporidium-associated diarrhea were established. From the level of 60 micrograms/kg on, oocysts were no longer detected in 98% of animals 5 to 6 days after the start of treatment. Animals remained negative for at least 7 days after withdrawal of the drug. From 7 to 10 days after withdrawal, some animals excreted oocysts again. The number of shedders was closely linked with increasing doses of the drug, which indicates that lower doses do not interrupt infection completely and allow development of immunity. In this respect, a dose of 60 to 125 micrograms/kg over a period of 7 days seems most appropriate in practice. Toxic side effects were noticed only at 500 micrograms/kg.