Open AccessPrevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in suckling calves in Aguascalientes, Mexico
Author(s) -
Dolores García Romo,
Carlos Cruz-Vázquez,
Teódulo Quezada Tristán,
Enrique Silva Peña,
Arturo Gerardo Valdivia Flores,
Sonia Vázquez Flores,
Miguel Ramos Parra
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
veterinaria méxico oa
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2448-6760
DOI - 10.21753/vmoa.1.1.332
Subject(s) - cryptosporidium , feces , veterinary medicine , ice calving , zoology , biology , medicine , lactation , pregnancy , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics
The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of and certain risk factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in suckling calves that were maintained in confinement in three dairy farms in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Over a period of 12 months, 1658 fecal samples were taken from 0- to 28 day-old calves. These samples were processed by a Kinyoun stain of the fecal smears to identify the presence of parasite oocysts. A survey was conducted to identify the different management factors present in the dairy farms, and a risk analysis was performed using logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection was 40%; the 8- to 14-day-old age group of calves had the highest prevalence of infection (81%), while the lowest prevalence of infection (21%) was observed in the 22- to 28-day-old age group. The identified risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidiumspp. included the 8- to 14-day-old group (OR = 15.2; 95% CI 11.2 - 20.6; P < 0.000) and the 15- to 21-day-old group (OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.9 - 3.2, P < 0.000); the use of sawdust bedding (OR= 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 - 2.8, P < 0.011); the plastic container from which calves drink milk (OR = 1.4; 95% CI 1.1 - 1.7, P < 0.000); the low level of immunoglobulins (OR = 1.8; 95% CI 1.1 - 2.9, P < 0.009); and calving care by non-specialized personnel (night watchman: OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.6 - 3.9, P < 0.000; nursing area worker: OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.2 – 2.5, P < 0.001).Risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidium spp. identified in three dairy farms in Aguascalientes, Mexico.