Bovine Cryptosporidiosis and the Egyptian Diarrheic Buffalo Calves

The negative impact of diarrhea on livestock health is well known, Cryptosporidium, is one of the protozoan that causes diarrhea in calves especially buffalo calves. Some species of Cryptosporidium represent a zoonotic hazard. This study aimed to distinguish the potential species of Cryptosporidium in affected buffalo calves and evaluate a modified technique to improve the molecular detection and identification of Cryptosporidium. Twenty buffalo calves suffered from diarrhea were enrolled in the study. The enrollment criteria depended on the results of Ziehl–Neelsen stain. Sugar floatation technique was performed followed by oocyst concentration to form a pellet for DNA extraction. Multiplex PCR was performed for identification and differentiation of Cryptosporidium Spp. The results showed a mixed infection in 4 samples; the most common type of Cryptosporidium affecting the examined buffalo calves was C.parvum (10), followed by C.bovis (7 samples) and C.andersoni (6 samples) while no C.reyne was detected in the examined samples. The zoonotic type, C.parvum was found in 50% of the total affected animals. The current study detects three Cryptosporidium spp. namely C.parvum, C. andersoni, and C.bovis linked to diarrhea in the studied buffalo calves. Mixed infection with more than one species of Cryptosporidium was present. Standard detection of oocyte in fecal samples using modified Ziehl-Neelsen stain is a simple way for diagnosis of Cryptosporidium. However, a more sophisticated method is recommended to detect and differentiate the zoonotic species in calves, as they symbolize a crucial source of human infection.