Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in southern Botswana

Abstract

A parasitological survey was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Gaborone, Lobatse, Mochudi and Molepolole veterinary districts. Faecal samples from 137 dairy and beef calves < 3 months, 38 heifers and 36 cows were examined for oocysts of Cryptosporidium species in faecal smears stained with modified Ziehl Neelsen stain. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was 29. 3% in dairy calves (n=106), 22. 6% in beef calves (n=31), 15. 8% in heifers (n=38) and 8. 3% (n= 36) in cows. The infection rate was significantly more in dairy calves in comparison to cows (_2 5. 4, P < 0. 05). Prevalence rates in dairy and beef calves < 4 weeks and 4 to 13 weeks old were 37. 8% of 74 and 15.9% of 63, respectively and the difference was statistically significant (_2 7. 1, P < 0. 01).The infection rate was significantly higher in diarrhocic dairy and beef calves (64.3%) compared to that of non-diarrhoeic calves (23.6%) (_~ 8.5, P < 0. 01) indicating role of C. parvum in neonatal diarrhoea. Morphologically, the oocysts observed in the faecal smears of calves were apparently indistinguishable from those of C.parvum, while in heifers and cows, the majority of oocysts were of C. andersoni. Il is evident from this preliminary investigation that Cryptosporidium infection is fairly high in cattle especially calves which constitutes a serious risk of infection to animal handlers and HIV infected individuals who fail to wash their hands and they need to be educated on the possible dangers of their acquisition of this infection while working with these infected animals. Further studies are recommended by including more bovines and other livestock species from different parts of this country.