Prevalence of cryptosporidium spp. infection in dairy calves in Mashhad

Cryptosporidium spp. are common intestinal protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of hosts، including human and animals، worldwide. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy calves in Mashhad. Fecal samples were randomly collected from 300 pre-weaned calves (1-30 day-old) from 9 dairy farms located in different regions of Mashhad. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infections in these animals was determined by examining for the presence of oocysts in the fecal samples، using modified Ziehl-Neelson staining method. The overall Cryptosporidium oocysts were identified in 28. 3% (85/300) of samples (95% CI، 0. 283±0. 048). Fecal samples were classified according to the consistency as diarrheic (45/300) and non- diarrheic (255/300). Diarrhea was recorded in 45 of the positive samples (100%). Cryptosporidial prevalence was significantly higher in diarrheic (100%) (45/45) versus non-diarrheic (13. 33%) (40/300) calves (p<0. 05). Also the highest rate of infection was in 8-14 day-calves (p<0. 05). Statistically there was difference between sex and infection rate (p>0. 05). This study confirmed that there is a potential risk of zoonotic transmission between dairy calves and humans، and routine fecal examination in dairy calves with persistent diarrhea is important.