Prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species among cattle and herders in bauchi local government area, Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

Background of the study: Cryptosporidium species are apicomplexan parasites commonly associated with diarrhea in both cattle and herders. They are of public health importance. The study was aimed to determine the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium species among cattle and herders in selected farms in Bauchi Local Government Area (LGA). Methods: This was done by examining fresh fecal samples collected from 100 cattle from five different farms making a total of 500. In addition 57 stool samples were randomly collected from the herders from all farms. Both samples were analyzed using Ziehl Nelsen (MZN) method. Information on sex, age, breed and fecal consistency were collected. Subsequently, a total of 109 samples were randomly selected from both the herders and cattle fecal samples for PCR analysis. Results: Out of the 500 cattle fecal samples examined during the study, 109 (21.8%) were positive for Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts. The prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was higher among cows than bulls and prevalence of infection was highest among the calves than adult cattle. Cattle with diarrheic feces were all positive for the infection compared to cattle with non-diarrheic feces. Also, out of the 57 herders’ fecal samples examined during the study, 11 (19.3%) were positive for C. parvum. Result from herders showed that prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection was higher among adolescents than the adults, but the difference observed was not statistically significant (p>0.05). Conclusion: The study found a significant prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection among cattle (21.8%) and herders (19.3%) in Bauchi, Nigeria, with higher rates among calves and cows with diarrhea, highlighting the potential for zoonotic transmission.