The prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in lambs and goat kids in Kurdistan, Iran

Abstract

Aim: Cryptosporidium is a protozoan parasite that causes diarrhea, which is typically a short-lasting benign infection.The aimof the present study was to determinate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in lambs and goat kids in Kurdistandistrict, Iran.Materials and Methods: Atotal of 1200 fecal samples were obtained from diarrheic and non-diarrheic lambs and goat kidsaged 1 to 6 months from 48 villages in the Kurdistan province, west of Iran. The samples were tested for the presence ofCryptosporidium spp. oocysts using modified Ziehl–Neelsen staining method.Results: Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were present in 10.24% of lambs and in 18.86% of goat kids. Both diarrhea andCryptosporidium spp. oocysts were observed in 64.37% (56/87) of lambs and in 30.51% (18/59) of goat kids.Cryptosporidium spp. infection rates were significantly higher in diarrheic than in non-diarrheic groups. The highest rate ofinfection was found in an animal aged one month. Furthermore, the prevalence of the infection according to age groups andconsistency of feces was found to be statistically significant.Conclusion: The presence of Cryptosporidium spp. in lambs and goat kids in Kurdistan indicates that this protozoan parasiteshould also be considered in the etiology of lambs and goat kids exhibiting diarrhea.

Keywords

• Cryptosporidium spp.
• lambs
• goat kids
• prevalence
• Iran