Prevalence and risk factors for shedding of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in dairy calves of Buenos Aires province, Argentina

GARRO, CARLOS; MORICI, GABRIEL; UTGES, MARIA EUGENIA; MARIELA L. TOMAZIC; SCHNITTGER, LEONHARD

Parasite Epidemiology and Control

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Año: 2016

2405-6731

In order to determine the prevalence and risk factors for shedding of Cryptosporidium spp. in diary calves a cross-sectional study was carried out in the northeast region of Buenos Aires province, Argentina. Fecal samples from a total of 552 calves from 27 dairy herds were collected. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected by light microscopy using Kinyoun staining. The sampled animals were clinically examined and farmers were interviewed about management procedure. Putative risk factors were tested for association using logistic regression. Oocyst shedding calves were found in 66.6% of herds and 16.3%of calves. Within-herd prevalence ranged from 0 to 60%, with a median of 8%.Cryptosporidium spp. excretion was not associated with the type of liquid diet, the animal gender, time the calf stayed with the dam after birth, the use of antibiotics and the presence of blood in feces. Risk factors of oocyst shedding in calves were young age, occurrence of diarrhea and spring-summer as calving season. The association with young age suggests an early exposure of neonatal calves to Cryptosporidiium spp. oocysts in maternity pens and/or an increased age-related susceptibility. Association with diarrhea suggests that Cryptosporidium spp. is as a primary enteropathogen responsible for the cause of the observed diarrheal syndrome. The association with calving season may suggest that the typical weather conditions in spring-summer favor oocyst transmission. Results demonstrate that Cryptosporidium spp. infection is widespread in the study region. Monitoring and control of this parasitic protozoan infection in dairy herds is recommended.