Original scientific paper

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle from Southern Ghana.

Sylvia A. Squire ; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Animal Research Institute, Achimota, Ghana
Julius Beyuo ; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Animal Research Institute, Achimota, Ghana
Hamphery Amafu-Dey ; Council for Scientific and Industrial Research - Animal Research Institute, Achimota, Ghana

Abstract

The prevalence of Cryptosporidium species oocysts in 241 cattle from two agroecological zones in Southern Ghana was investigated in this study. Cryptosporidium oocysts were demonstrated in fecal samples using sodium chloride centrifugal floatation, followed by the modified Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining technique. Overall, 29.0% of the cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Prevalence was significantly higher (P<0.001) among cattle from the forest-savannah transition zone (50.6%) compared to the coastal savannah zone (18.9%). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in both males (28.4%) and females (31.8%) with no significant difference (P>0.05). Age group prevalence was 25.8%, 33.3% and 27.6% in calves (≤10 months old), young cattle (11 to 24 months old) and adults (>24 months old) respectively (p>0.05). Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 23.1% of 39 diarrheic and 30.2% of 202 non-diarrheic stools (P>0.05). The majority of infected cattle were asymptomatic. These findings suggest that cattle may play a role in the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium oocysts to humans and other animals in Ghana.

Keywords

Cryptosporidium spp.; oocysts; prevalence; diarrhoea; cattle; Ghana

Hrčak ID:

108253

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/108253

Publication date:

27.9.2013.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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