Prevalence and Factors Associated with Cryptosporidium Infection in Calves in and around Nekemte Town, East Wollega Zone of Ethiopia

Abstract

Purpose. Cryptosporidiosis, caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Cryptosporidium, is a zoonotic disease that affects young animals and humans. The study was conducted from October 2020 to May 2021, with the objectives of estimating the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in calves and assessing the associated risk factors in Nekemte town, Ethiopia. Methods. A cross-sectional study was adopted during the study period. Initially, 35 dairy farms were selected using a systematic study approach from which a total of 384 calves under the age of 12 months (75 calves from intensive, 51 from semi-intensive, and 258 from extensive dairy farms) were selected purposively for fecal sample collection. Fecal samples were collected directly from the rectum of each calf and tested for Cryptosporidium oocysts using Sheather’s flotation and a modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining procedure. The data were analyzed using STATA statistical software version 13. Results. Cryptosporidium infection was found in 53 of the 384 calves investigated, with an overall prevalence of 13.8% (95% CI = 8.1–17.6). Logistic regression analysis on the risk factors showed that types of farm, age, body condition scores, fecal consistency, types of feed, source of water, and farm hygiene were found to have a statistically significant influence on the shedding of Cryptosporidium oocysts by the calves ( p < 0.05 ). Calves under the age of six months had a higher likelihood (OR = 2.7, 95% CI = 1.0–4.2, p < 0.001 ) of shedding the oocysts than the calves of 6 to 12 months of age. It was also confirmed that calves with poor body condition scores had a higher likelihood (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.2–3.7, p = 0.024 ) of shedding the Cryptosporidium oocysts than other ones. The likelihood of shedding a Cryptosporidium oocyst by the diarrheic calves was higher than by the nondiarrheic ones (OR = 3.1, p < 0.001 ). The infection was 2.6 times highest (16.8%, 31/185, 95% CI = 14.5–19.1, OR = 2.6, p = 0.028 ) in calves feeding on grass alone, followed by milk and grass (15%) and milk (4.2%). Similarly, it was 2.2 times higher (18.5%, OR = 2.2, and p = 0.002 ) in calves drinking river water than in calves drinking tap water. Moreover, calves kept under poor hygiene were more likely to shed Cryptosporidium oocysts (OR = 2.8, p = 0.001 ) than calves kept under good hygiene. Conclusion. In conclusion, cryptosporidiosis is one of the health problems of calves in and around Nekemte town, East Wollega zone. Our findings confirmed that risk factors such as types of farm, age, body condition scores, fecal consistency, types of feed, water source, and farm hygienic status were found to have a significant effect on the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in the calves. While the molecular-based study is required to be carried out aiming at species identification and the epidemiology of the parasite, particular attention should be paid to the control of the disease in the study area.

Epidemiological and Molecular Study of Cryptosporidium in Preweaned Calves in Kuwait

“…The prevalence of Cryptosporidium is approximately three times higher in farms with poor hygienic status (OR = 2.85; 95% CI = 1.32–6.13) compared to those with good hygiene. Similar results were previously observed [ 24 , 33 , 34 ]. This result could be explained by the fact that a dirty and muddy farm could create appropriate climatic conditions for the presence or survival of Cryptosporidium oocysts in the farms or animal houses.…”

“…This study was the first attempt to identify the risk factors and molecular typing of species involved in Cryptosporidium infection among preweaned calves in Kuwait. Many epidemiological studies have been conducted to detect cryptosporidiosis in calves worldwide [ 10 , 15 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”

Cryptosporidium in Dairy Cattle, Sheep, Humans, and Manure in and around Adama and Asella Towns, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

“…In multiple logistic regression analysis, age was signi cantly associated with the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection. The nding was supported by Ayana and Alemu (2015); Ebiyo and Haile (2022); Venu et al (2013);and Santin et al (2004), which explained the importance of age in the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection. In current ndings, age groups (1-12 months) were signi cant association (p = 0.027) and more likely to be exposed to infection (OR = 2.60) than those above 36 months of age.…”

“…Farm hygiene is another risk factor that showed an association (p = 0.007) with the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy cattle. Locally, Abraham et al (2018), Abebe et al (2008), andEbiyo andHaile (2022) reported similar ndings from different parts of the country. Similarly, Castro-hermida et al (2002) indicated animals are less at risk of infection when their house is frequently cleaned.…”

“…This result was in line with the prevalence of 27.8% in Haramaya (Regassa et al, 2013), 24% in South Eastern Ethiopia (Birhanu et al, 2017), 28.1% in Nigeria (Ayinmode and Fagbemi, 2010), and 25.7% in Brazil (Conceição et al, 2021). However, it is higher than the ndings from different parts of Ethiopia: 13.8% from East Wollega, 10% from Tigrai, 13% from Southern Ethiopia; 13.6% from Bishoftu; and 10.8% from West Showa (Ayana and Alemu, 2015;Hailu et al, 2020;Mullusew et al, 2020;Ebiyo and Haile, 2022;Ki eyohanes et al (2022). The prevalence (26%) in the (13-36) age groups is comparable with the ndings from Ghana (Dankwa et al, 2021) and Iraq (Saeed et al, 2019), with a prevalence of 27.3% and 21.88%, respectively.…”