Cryptosporidium Infection in Sheep and Goats in Southern Botswana and Its Public Health Significance
Journal Title: Global Journal of Animal Scientific Research - Year 2015, Vol 3, Issue 2
Abstract
Fecal samples of 166 sheep and 222 goats collected from 14 farms in southern Botswana were screened for the presence of Cryptosporidium infection using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) staining technique. An overall prevalence rate of 13.3% (22/166) in sheep and 12.2% (27/222) in goats were detected. ELISA proved to be more sensitive in detecting Cryptosporidium infection than MZN (P = 0.04). Lambs and goat kids aged ≤ 4 weeks showed highest infection rates of 19.4% (13/67) and 16.5% (15/91), respectively. The infection rate of 16.7% (42/251) was recorded in small ruminants ≤ 12 weeks compared to 5.1% (7/137) in adults (P= 0.002). Diarrheic animals demonstrated 20.7% (12/58) prevalence in comparison to 11.2% (37/330) in animals excreting normal solid feces (P= 0.07). The significance levels in the infection rates in sheep versus goats and males versus females were P=0.87 and P= 0.76, respectively. Animals reared under traditional communal management system exhibited more susceptibility to cryptosporidiosis than those under semi-intensive husbandry system (P= 0.04). Of the 62 environmental samples taken, Cryptosporidium oocysts were detected in 2 of 27 (7.4%) soil and 1 of 22 (4.5%) water samples. None of 14 manure specimens derived from every sampled small stock farm was found positive. The results of the present study revealed the occurrence of Cryptosporidium infection in small stock population in southern Botswana. It suggested potential role of young lambs and goat kids for transmission of human cryptosporidiosis via environmental contamination. Application of molecular techniques for characterization of Cryptosporidium field isolates including zoonotic species and genotypes is urgently required. Creation of farmers’ awareness through extension education program on good animal husbandry practices will help in devising appropriate strategies to control animal and human cryptosporidiosis.
Authors and Affiliations
Surender Pal Sharma, Mompoloki Busang
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP29110
- DOI -
- Views 393
- Downloads 5
Effect of Adding Aloe Vera Gel and Garlic Powder on Performance and Liver Functions of Broiler Chickens.
The present study was designed to evaluate the effects of supplementing different levels of Aloe Vera gel and garlic powder on performance and liver functions of broiler chickens. For this purpose, one hundred and sixt...
Influence of Some Factors on Composition of Dromedary Camel Milk in Sudan
The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of management systems, breeds, parity and stage of lactation on milk composition of Sudanese Arabi camels. Samples of camel milk were collected from 120 heal...
Litter Quality and External Carcass Defects in Broiler Chicken Influenced by Supplementation of Drinking Water with Savory (Satureja Khuzistanica) Essential Oils
Satureja khuzistanica is an endemic plant distributed in southern part of Iran. It is well-known for its antimicrobial, antioxidant and therapeutic virtues. This experiment was conducted to examine the effect of supple...
Estimates of Crossbreeding Parameters for Growth Traits in Crosses between Nigerian Indigenous and Exotic Chickens
The aim of this study was to estimate crossbreeding parameters namely direct additive, maternal additive and direct heterosis for bodyweight and weight gain of crosses between Nigerian indigenous (NIC) and two inbred l...
Characteristics of the First Record of Bat (Mammalia: Chiroptera) Fauna from Peshawar and Adjacent Areas, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
The present research was conducted to explore the bat fauna of districts Charsadda, Kohat, Mardan and Nowshera, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan during July 2011 to May 2013. A total of (N=213) bats of 5 genera and 10 spe...