First report of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia duodenalis in calves from northeastern Brazil

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of Cryptosporidium spp. and Giardia spp. in cattle calves from the Sertão region of Paraíba State in northeastern Brazil. The experiment was conducted using 100 calves from 10 farms. To evaluate the presence of oocysts, the technique of flotation in a sucrose solution was used, and for detection of C. parvum and G. duodenalis, the immunochromatographic test RIDA®QUICK Cryptosporidium/Giardia strips were used. It was noted that animals of 1 to 30 days of age were statistically more affected (P < 0.05) by Cryptosporidium spp. Only 4 calves (25% of the positive animals) had diarrhea (P < 0.05). Nine animals were positive for G. duodenalis; diarrhea was present in 6 (66.67%) of those animals, which was considered a risk factor (P < 0.05). It was concluded that Cryptosporidium spp. and G. duodenalis were present in calves from northeastern Brazil. © TÜBITAK.