Cryptosporidium infection in cattle and sheep in central Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract Background: Cryptosporidiosis is commonly caused by Cryptosporidium parvum and causes gastrointestinal illness in a wide variety of mammals including humans, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and horses worldwide. Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted from December 2021 to July 2022 to estimate the prevalence, identify associated risk factors and estimate infection intensity of the parasite in cattle and sheep in Central Oromia. Fecal flotation sheathers’ solution and modified acid fast technique were used to identify Cryptosporidium oocysts from fecal samples. Results: Out of 687 fecal samples examined, 182 (34.2%) cattle and 30(19.4%) sheep were found to be infected with Cryptosporidium. There was a significant difference (P< 0.05) in the Cryptosporidium infection between age groups of cattle with higher prevalence in young (43.4%) than adult age group (28.4%). Similarly, there was a significant difference (P< 0.05) in Cryptosporidium infection among study sites. There was also a significant difference in Cryptosporidium infection between production systems with higher prevalence in intensive production system (38.7%) than the extensive system (21.6%). There was a significant difference in the intensity of infection of Cryptosporidium (P= 0.000) between the age groups of cattle with more burden of infection in the young age category than the adult age group. Conclusion: The present study indicated that Cryptosporidium is widely distributed in cattle and sheep in the study areas. Significant number of adult animals were infected with this parasite indicating that adult animals could also play a great role in the parasite transmission. The majority of Cryptosporidium infections in both cattle and sheep were mild.