Prevalence and species identification of cryptosporidium from cattle in Kuantan Pahang, Malaysia

Abstract

Cryptosporidium spp. is a protozoan parasite that can cause gastrointestinal infection known as cryptosporidiosis. It is known since 1980s that cattle have been identified as significant hosts of zoonotic Cryptosporidium. This research was conducted to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium from cattle in Kuantan, Pahang and to identify the species of Cryptosporidium by using 18S rRNA gene. Besides, this study aims to investigate the association between Cryptosporidium infection and the age of cattle. Three hundred and seventy five cattle faecal samples were collected directly from five farms in Kuantan, Pahang. The samples were processed by using formal-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl-Neelsen. Cryptosporidium spp. was identified by nested PCR amplification of 18S rRNA gene. Based on microscopic examination, 16.3% (61/375) cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium infection. This research has shown that the highest prevalence of Cryptosporidium was recorded in calves with the percentage of 17.4% (12/69), followed by adult cattle and yearling with the percentage of 16.1% (29/180) and 15.9% (20/126), respectively. The findings demonstrated that there was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in Cryptosporidium infection rates by age and presence of diarrhea. From 61 positive samples detected by microscopic examination, one sample was successfully amplified by nested PCR. The species found was highly similar to C. ryanae. The present study suggested that good management practices and proper hygiene management must be practiced by farmers to control the Cryptosporidium infection. It is highly important to control the infection since cattle infected with parasites may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans. Veterinary health agencies should organize health education program for farmers to give information about the risk of the zoonotic diseases. It is recommended that future studies should investigate the subtyping of Cryptosporidium for better understanding of sources of infection and the dynamics of cryptosporidiosis transmission.