PRIMARY RESEARCH ON GASTRO -INTESTINAL CRYPTOSPORIDIUM INCIDENCE RATE IN LAMBS AND CALVES IN AMOL CITY,IRAN

Cryptosporidium is an ubiqutous enteric protozoan parasite that infects a wide range of vertebrate hosts. In humans and many other mammals, cryptosporidium is recognized as a significant pathogen primarily as a cause of acute, severe diarrheal illness. At this investigation animal samples (stool) were collected from 708 heads of lambs (in the beginning of the birth to three months) and 713 heads of calves (in the beginning of the birth to six months) in spring, summer, autumn and winter seasons at amol city in 1374. the samples were examinated after staining using modified zihil - nelson technique. Results showed, 29 samples of lambs (4.09%) and 28 samples of calves (3.92%) were positive. also in winter season infestation rate was higher than the other seasons (4.65%).whereas infestation rate in animals without clinical signs is high, so this subject is a important problems for public health.