Prevalence and Genetic Characterization of Cryptosporidium Species in Dairy Calves in Central Ethiopia

Abstract

The burden of cryptosporidiosis due to Cryptosporidium parvum is well documented in HIV-positive patients in Ethiopia. However, the role of animals in zoonotic transmission of the disease is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotypes of Cryptosporidium species in dairy calves; to assess the role of cattle in zoonotic transmission in central Ethiopia. A total of 449 fecal samples were collected and screened using modified Ziehl-Neelson staining method and PCR targeting the small-subunit (SSU) rRNA gene. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium was 9.4% (42/449) and 15.8% (71/449) as detected by microscopy and nested PCR, respectively. The prevalence of infection varied significantly across the study areas with the higher prevalence being observed in Chancho 25.4% (30/118). Crossbred calves had significantly higher prevalence of Cryptosporidium than indigenous zebu. Genotyping results revealed the presence of C. andersoni (76.1%), C. bovis (19.7%) and C. ryanae (4.2%). The occurrence of these Cryptosporidium species appeared to be age-related. C. andersoni constituted 92.1% of the Cryptosporidium infection in calves older than 3 months. Sequence analysis also showed the existence of intra-species variation at SSU rRNA gene. Findings of the current study indicate that cattle may not be an important source of zoonotic cryptosporidiosis in central Ethiopia. Further molecular studies are needed to support this observation from other part of the country.

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium in calves from rural settlements in the Northwest region of the state of São Paulo, Brazil

“…The results of a study conducted in Ethiopia by Wegayehu et al (2016) were similar to those found in our study. The animals were aged between three days and five months.…”

“…In epidemiological surveys conducted in China, India, Poland and Ethiopia, the average prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in young calves ranged from 5.6% to 17% (WANG et al, 2014;WEGAYEHU et al, 2016).…”

Evaluation of three commercial rapid kits to detect Cryptosporidium parvum in diarrhoeic calf stool

“…For instance, reported prevalence values of C. parvum were 5% and 11% in healthy and diarrhoeic calves in Sweden (Bj€ orkman et al 2003), 40.6% in dairy calves from farms with a history of diarrhoea in Canada (Trotz-Williams et al 2005), or 25.68% and 50% in nondiarrhoeic and diarrhoeic neonatal dairy calves in India (Singh et al 2006). In addition to C. parvum, Cryptosporidium andersoni, Cryptosporidium bovis, Cryptosporidium ryanae and Cryptosporidium ubiquitum can also be identified in calves (Bj€ orkman et al 2015;Wegayehu et al 2016). Cryptosporidium parvum, C. ubiquitum, and C. andersoni are also recognised zoonotic agents, and persons in contact with infected cattle are at risk of contracting these infections (Jiang et al 2014;Li et al 2014).…”

“…Diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis can be carried out by using faecal smears stained by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen technique (Bj€ orkman et al 2003;Singh et al 2006;Wegayehu et al 2016), Sheather's sucrose flotation solution (Trotz-Williams et al 2005;Singh et al 2006) or direct immunofluorescence assays (DIA) (Bj€ orkman et al 2015;Mirhashemi et al 2015). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are also available for detection of specific Cryptosporidium coproantigens (Cho et al 2012;Mirhashemi et al 2015).…”

“…Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) are also available for detection of specific Cryptosporidium coproantigens (Cho et al 2012;Mirhashemi et al 2015). Molecular methods involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays are needed to identify different Cryptosporidium species in cattle faeces (Jiang et al 2014;Bj€ orkman et al 2015;Mirhashemi et al 2015;Wegayehu et al 2016). All these methods are timeconsuming and expensive, requiring well-equipped laboratories and well-trained, skilled personnel.…”