Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. Oocysts in Diarrhoeic Calves in Kars Province, Turkey

Authors: M. ÖZKAN ARSLAN, YUNUS GICIK, H. METİN ERDOĞAN, BARIŞ SARI

Abstract: This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in diarrhoeic calves in Kars province. The study was conducted between February 1999 and June 1999, involving 140 diarrhoeic calves from 8 different localities (Kars-Central district, Karakaş, Bulanık, Karakale, Hacıhalil, Boğazköy, Susuz-Central district, and Arpaçay). These localities were visited once during the study period, and fresh faecal samples were taken from the rectums of the calves up to 3 months old. Faecal samples were centrifuged and the resulting sediments were smeared on glass slides. The slides were stained by the modified acid-fast technique and examined under light microscope for the presence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in 25.7% (36/140) of the diarrhoeic calves examined. The infection rate varied from 9.1% (1/11) in the Susuz-Central district to 37.5% (6/16) in Arpaçay. The infection rate was 29.5% (33/112) in calves younger than 1 month of age while it was 10.7% (3/28) in calves older than 1 month of age. The highest infection rate of 42.6%, (20/47) was recorded in calves between 1 and 3 weeks of age.

Keywords: Cryptosporidium spp., Calves, Prevalence, Kars, Turkey.

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