Evaluation of Cryptosporidium spp. infection in cattle in industrial farms in North Khorasan Province, Iran

Cryptosporidium is one of the main enteric protozoan pathogens of mammals, notably domestic animals and human. This protozoan parasite is known as one of the leading causes of livestock mortality, mostly young animals. In order to determine prevalence of coccidian Cryptosporidium infection in North Khorasan province, a cross‐sectional survey was conducted on Cattle younger than six months and Cattle aged more than six months between 2017 and 2018 years. A total of 160 rectal fecal samples were randomly collected from three dairy farms and were evaluated microscopically after modified ziehl neelsen staining. Of the 160 samples examined, only nine (5.6%) were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Positive samples, after DNA extraction, were further tested using nested PCR targeting the 18S rRNA gene. All positive sample were confirmed by Nested PCR Although the highest prevalence rate was observed in calves aged more than six months, neither age(p-value=0.16) nor sex (p-value=0.85) had significant relationship with prevalence of Cryptosporidium in Cattle. Moreover, no differences were found in prevalence rate of Cryptosporidium between calves with or without diarrhea (p-value=0.78). It is concluded that Cryptosporidium has a role in the intestinal infection of cattle in North Khorasan province, Iran.