THE PREVALENCE AND INCIDENCE OF CRYTOSPORIDUM SPECIES IN NATURALLY INFECTED CALVES

Rahmatullah Rind, Allan John Robert¹ and Rehana Buriro

Abstract   

    An investigation on the prevalence and incidence of Cryptosporidium spp. In faecal samples of calves was carried out. Out of 178 faecal samples examined from younger calves (2-3 months of age). 119 were (66.85%) were found positive with Cryptosporidum spp. (Ziehl-Neelsen method) and 100 (56.18%) were found positive using the rapid staining technique. The study indicated that asymptomatic infection was more common in young calves above two months of age. The incidence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in faecal samples of calves was also investigated during twelve months period. 100% (Ziehl-Neelsen method) samples were found positive in June while a gradual decline in incidence occurred such that bby May of the following year only 26.66% were positives. Faecal samples from calves were collected and analyzed on the basis of their consistence. Generally a greater number of soft faeces were found positive with oocysts compared to diarrhoic and diarrhoes faeces. However, a variation in morpholllogical characteristics of the oocysts of Cryptosporidium species was using the two techniques

Key words: Cryptosporidium spp. Prevalence, incidence, infected calves