Cryptosporidium infection in cattle of sub–tropical region of Assam, India

Meena Das; Dilip Kumar Deka; Prabhat Chandra Sarmah

Volume : IV, Issue : II, February - 2015

Cryptosporidium infection in cattle of sub–tropical region of Assam, India

Meena Das, Dilip Kumar Deka, Prabhat Chandra Sarmah

Abstract :

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle of Guwahati, Assam. A total of 1698 faecal samples were collected from cattle and examined by using modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining technique, nested PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RPLF). The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infections in cattle was 16.43% (28.41% in calves and 10.92% in adult). Cryptosporidium parvum and C. andersoni were recorded form calves and adult cattle, respectively. Infection was prevalent throughout the year with seasonal variations. Summary: A total of 1698 faecal samples were screened for detection of Cryptosporidium infection in different age groups of cattle by using modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining technique, nested PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RPLF). Examination of faecal samples revealed an overall prevalence of 16.43% infections in cattle of Guwahati, Assam. Age-wise, 28.41% and 10.92% infections were recorded in calves (< 1 month) and adult, respectively. Season-wise infection was recorded highest during monsoon season (27.88%) followed by pre-monsoon (20.14%), post-monsoon (8.38%) and winter (3.29%) season. Cryptosporidium positive faecal samples were subjected to nested PCR and PCR-RPLF which confirmed presence of two species of Cryptosporidium, viz. C. parvum and C. andersoni.