EVALUATION OF CRYPTOSPORIDIUM PARVUM INFECTION IN CALVES UNDER ONE YEAR WITH SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO AGE AND GENDER IN BAQUBAH-DIYALA PROVINCE, IRAQ

Abstract

The aim was to evaluate distribution of cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) among calves under one year with special emphasis to age and gender in Baqubah- Diyala province, Iraq. Fifty calves suffering from diarrhea were included. Stool samples were collected for diagnosis of C. parvum by Ziehl-Neelsen (hot and cold) staining techniques. A total of 66% of diarrheic calves was infected with C. par- vum. Significant difference as well as correlation regarding the C. parvum oocysts scoring was reported between ZN cold technique and ZN hot staining procedure (P value=0.000). Good agreement (kappa =0.780, p value= 0.000), was reported be- tween ZN hot staining procedure and ZN cold technique for diagnosis of C. parvum oocysts in calves. The main affected age group of calves was (1-2) month, in which (46%), was infected with C. parvum. Female was infected more than males, (34%). Males have a risk of getting infection at (1.948) time than female. No significant correlation was reported between positivity of C. parvum, age group and gender of calves. In conclusion, the prevalence of C. parvum appear to be elevated. Although males were infected approximately twice time than females, the susceptibility of calve for C. parvum infection was independent from age and gender.