Cryptosporidium infection in buffaloes and cattle with special reference to factors contributing to infection
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Date
2010
Authors
Jameel, A. B. S. H.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Cryptosporidium is a coccidian protozoan parasite which causes considerable morbidity and mortality in young animals and in the immunocompromised host. Diagnosis of Cryptosporidium infection is generally done by means of detection of oocysts in faeces using different faecal concentration techniques and staining techniques. This study was carried out to compare staining techniques: modified Ziehl Neelsen (MZN) and Giemsa; faecal concentration techniques: modified Sheathers sucrose flotation (MSSF) and modified salt flotation (MSF), to identify the most sensitive faecal concentration and the staining technique to diagnose Cryptosporidium infection in buffaloes.
Twenty faecal samples were tested by both MZN and Giemsa Staining techniques. Number of Cryptosporidium oocyst positivity and oocyst recovery rate were high in MZN method compared to Giemsa staining technique.
Both MSSF and MSF faecal concentration methods were performed on 65 buffalofaecal samples. Cryptosporidium oocyst positivity for both MSSF and MSF methods was approximately the same (60 % and 508 % respectively). However, Cryptosporidium oocyst recovery was high with MSSF method compared to MSF method.
Cryptosporidium oocyst positivity was compared in regard to temperature, rainfall, calving season and age of the buffalo. Low incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was observed in both high and low rainfall months.
An investigation into the effect of temperature on Cryptosporidium infection was done from November 2009 to February 2010. Low incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was observed during the month of high average temperature (November and February).
The last week of November 2009 to the third week of December 2009 was the calving season for the buffalo farm. Incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was at its highest 9 days after calving season, followed by a steady decline for a period of 2 months. Cryptosporidium oocyst positivity was high in animals <6 months old. The effect of Cryptosporidium infection on diarrhoea among buffaloes was done in a buffalo farm in the Badulla district. Incidence of Cryptosporidium infection was found to be equal in both normal and diarrhoeal buffaloes. However, the oocyst shedding among diarrhoeic buffaloes was found to be high (2681 16/g of faeces).
The effect of Cryptosporidium infection on diarrhoeic cattle was done in Kalmunai, (the Eastern Province of Sri Lanka) and no animals showed positivity for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Thus, this study showed that cryptosporidiosis is not a cause of diarrhoea in cattle in the Kalmunai area.
This study concluded that MSSF and MSF faecal concentration methods are equally efficient in diagnosing severe Cryptosporidium infection with high oocyst counts. Moreover Cryptosporidium infection with low Cryptosporidium oocyst counts can be efficiently detected by the MSSF method.
Cryptosporidium oocyst can be easily identified with the MZN staining method due to the acid fast characteristic of Cryptosporidium oocysts. Giemsa Staining intricate the oocysts differentiation from other Cryptosporidium-like bodies; it took the similar colour as that of the background. Thus, Giemsa staining can be used for screening and MZN for the conformation of Cryptosporidium infection.
Cryptosporidium infection was detected in a wide range of age groups extending from 2 week- old buffalo calves up to buffaloes > 1 year. Oocyst positivity declined with age and had no apparent association with rainfall while low temperature showed high susceptibility of Cryptosporidium infection. This is the only study carried out in the Eastern part of Sri Lanka to identify the role of Cryptosporidium on diarrhoea in cattle. According to this study Cryptosporidium was not identified as an aetiological factor for diarrhoea among cattle in the Kalmunai area. This study showed the presence of Cryptosporidium in this area, indicating the need for future studies on epidemiological aspects of Cryptosporidium infection in the Eastern part of Sri Lanka.
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Keywords
Plant Science , Buffaloes , Cattle