Prevalence Of Cryptosporidium Oocysts From Calves In Kurdistan Province, Of Iran

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts in calves (n=412) in five selected farms in Saghez, Iran, was determined by using the modified Ziehl Nielsen staining technique. Of 412 bovine faecal samples, 8.5% were positive for Cryptosporidium spp. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium in less than 3-month age’s calves was higher than weaned calves and adults. Cryptosporidium spp. oocysts were detected in both diarrheic and non-diarrheic animals, but there was a significantly higher prevalence (p<.05) of oocyst shedding in diarrheic than in non – diarrheic animals. Confirmation of the diagnosis was performed using antiCryptosporidium monoclonal antibody specific for Cryptosporidium muris, Cryptosporidium parvum and Cryptosporidium baileyi.