Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle from Southern Ghana

2013

English

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 fl oatation, followed by the modifi ed Ziehl-Neelsen acid-fast staining technique. Overall, 29.0% of the cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. Prevalence was signifi cantly 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 signifi cant 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 fi ndings suggest that cattle may play a role in the zoonotic transmission of Cryptosporidium oocysts to humans and other animals in Ghana.

Squire, S. A., Beyuo, J., & Amafu-Dey, H. (2013). Prevalence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in cattle from Southern Ghana. Veterinarski arhiv, 83(5), 497-507.

Squire, S. A.; Benyo, J.; Amafu-Dey, H.
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/2259