The determination of treatment effect of chitosan oligosaccharide in lambs with experimentally cryptosporidiosis

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the efficacy of chitosan oligosaccharide administrations in different doses of experimental infected lambs with Cryptosporidium parvum. 32 male lambs were used in the study and the lambs were divided into 4 groups with 8 lambs in each group. Groups 1, 2 and 3, twice a day, were administered chitosan oligosaccharide at a dose of 100, 500, and 1000 mg/kg for 7 days, respectively, with milk replacer. In group 4, lambs with cryptosporidiosis were subjected to normal feeding as control without drug administration. Clinical examinations of lambs were made before treatment (day 0) and on days 1, 3, 5 and 7 after treatment and 5 ml of blood was collected from vena jugularis for blood analysis of all lambs. Weight changes of lambs were recorded at 0, 7, 14, and 21 days. Stool specimens were collected pre-treatment (day 0) and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 post-treatment to determine oocyst excretion of lambs with cryptosporidiosis. Lambs with a mean oocyte counts > 10 after stool examination were included to the treatment. Changes in clinical hematology, blood gases and biochemical parameters were observed during the course of treatment, but these changes were limited. Weight loss was observed at 7th day according to 0th day the lambs with experimental cryptosporidiosis but gradually weight increase was observed at 14th and 21st days and these changes were similar in all groups. Oocyst excretion decreased in all groups during treatment. According to 0th day, there was a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in oocyte excretions in the third day in group 1 and 2, and in day 5 in the group 3 and 4. Significant changes (p < 0.05) were observed in oocyst excretions on the third and fifth days among the groups. As a result, in lambs with experimental cryptosporidiosis, chitosan oligosaccharide improved in clinical signs and stool character shorter than the positive control group and the administration of chitosan oligosaccharide at doses of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 7 days significantly reduced oocyst excretion but not enough to remove cryptosporidiosis completely.

Chitosan Oligosaccharide Supplementation Affects Immunity Markers in Ewes and Lambs during Gestation and Lactation

“…The immune modulation role of COS via material intervention may assist in protection against gastrointestinal parasites and infectious diseases. A recent study indicated that COS can have a positive effect on both clinical signs and on stool character in lambs experimentally infected with cryptosporidiosis, and can reduce oocyst excretion [ 17 ]. However, the detailed molecular mechanisms of how maternal COS supplements regulate the immune system of lambs need to be further investigated.…”

“…In addition, COS has an antibacterial effect on infectious diseases, such as cryptosporidiosis. [ 17 ]. The oral administration of COS at doses of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 7 d significantly reduced oocyst excretion in experimentally induced cryptosporidiosis in lambs [ 17 ].…”

“…[ 17 ]. The oral administration of COS at doses of 100, 500 and 1000 mg/kg for 7 d significantly reduced oocyst excretion in experimentally induced cryptosporidiosis in lambs [ 17 ]. Recently we reported that maternal COS supplementation during gestation and lactation in gilts increased reproductive efficiency by 4%, milk production by 35% and piglet body weight by 13% [ 18 ].…”

Past, current, and potential treatments for cryptosporidiosis in humans and farm animals: A comprehensive review

“…Chitosan, a natural linear polysaccharide has also been investigated for efficacy in C. parvum infected lambs. Therapeutic treatment after the onset of disease improved clinical signs and fecal consistency, and reduced oocyst excretion, but did not eliminate cryptosporidiosis completely in treated lambs ( Aydogdu et al., 2019 ).…”

“…Researchers have suggested various modes of action of polysaccharides such as cyclodextrins and chitosan in controlling viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections that involve use of their antimicrobial properties, osmotic properties, and cholesterol-sequestering ability, among others ( Aydogdu et al., 2019 ; Braga, 2019 ). It is likely that, in the case of Cryptosporidium , these polysaccharides might form a protective film over the intestinal surface due to their adhesive properties, which may act as a physical barrier and prevent cell invasion by parasites.…”