Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in Cows and Calves in Sivas

Authors: SERPİL DEĞERLİ, ALİ ÇELİKSÖZ, KADİR KALKAN, SEMRA ÖZÇELİK

Abstract: The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in healthy asymptomatic cows and calves was investigated on 30 farms in Şarkışla in Sivas. The population on these farms consisted of 457 animals: 47 calves 15-45 days old, 48 calves 45-90 days old, 38 calves 90 days-6 months old, 254 calves 6 months-1 year old, 60 cattle 1-3 years old, and 10 cattle 9-15 years old. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were identified by zinc sulphate flotation technique and modified acid fast stain methods in cattle ranging from 15 days old to adults. Cryptosporidium spp. positive animals were found at all (100%) farms. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was 70.3% and 31.4% in cows and calves, respectively. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. was significantly (X^{2}= 39.00; P < 0.05) lower in calves than in adults. Giardia spp. cysts were identified in 17 animals (3.7%) from 11 ( 36.6%) of the farms surveyed by direct examination and zinc sulphate flotation technique. Prevalence rates of Giardia spp. in cows and calves were 1.4% and 4.1%, respectively. Giardia spp. cyst shedding was found in the faecal samples of all animal groups except for those 1-9 years old. Between calves and adults, the prevalence of Giardia spp. was not significantly different (X^{2}= 1.21; P > 0.05). These findings clearly demonstrate that asymptomatic infections in calves and cows infected with Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. play a potential role as reservoirs for humans.

Keywords: Giardia, Cryptosporidium, cattle, calves, prevalence

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