Cryptosporidiosis in pre-weaned calves at the wildlife/livestock interface of the Kruger National Park, South Africa

Abstract

Cryptosporidium is a protozoa, which affects animals and human worldwide. This project is part of a broader study looking at the zoonotic aspect of Cryptosporidium spp. at the wildlife/livestock and human interface of the KNP. The purpose of this study is to detect the prevalence and risk factors of cryptosporidiosis for calves living in a rural farming area close to the KNP. Therefore we collected 354 fecal samples of individual calves in the Mnisi Traditional Authority. Together with every sample we have done a survey with questions focused on possible risk factors for the infection of Cryptosporidium. All the samples were analyzed microscopically using a Modified Ziehl Neelsen staining method and were viewed under the microscope for Cryptosporidium oocysts. In this study only 2 positives were detected out of the 354 fecal samples. Resulting in a prevalence of 0,6%. A Fisher’s exact test is used to calculate for risk factors. Unfortunately this research did not found any significant risk factors for calves to get cryptosporidiosis.