Korean J Parasitol.  2016 Apr;54(2):197-200. 10.3347/kjp.2016.54.2.197.

Identification of Cryptosporidium from Dairy Cattle in Pahang, Malaysia

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Biomedical Science, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences, International Islamic University of Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. afzan@iium.edu.my
  • 2Integrated Cellular and Molecular Biology Cluster (iMolec), Integrated Centre for Research Animal Care and Use, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
  • 3Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Kulliyyah of Nursing, International Islamic University Malaysia, Jalan Hospital Campus, 25710 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.

Abstract

Cryptosporidium, a protozoan parasite, can cause cryptosporidiosis which is a gastrointestinal disease that can infect humans and livestock. Cattle are the most common livestock that can be infected with this protozoan. This study was carried out to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in cattle in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia and to find out the association between the occurrence of infection and 3 different ages of cattle (calves less than 1 year, yearling, and adult cattle). The samples were processed by using formol-ether concentration technique and stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen. The results showed that 15.9% (24/151) of cattle were positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts. The occurrence of Cryptosporidium in calves less than 1 year was the highest with the percentage of 20.0% (11/55) followed by yearling and adult cattle, with the percentage occurrence of 15.6 % (7/45) and 11.8% (6/51), respectively. There was no significant association between the occurrence and age of cattle and presence of diarrhea. Good management practices and proper hygiene management must be taken in order to reduce the infection. It is highly important to control the infection since infected cattle may serve as potential reservoirs of the infection to other animals and humans, especially animal handlers.

Keyword

Cryptosporidium; cattle; age; Pahang; Malaysia

MeSH Terms

Adult
Animals
Cattle*
Cryptosporidiosis
Cryptosporidium*
Diarrhea
Gastrointestinal Diseases
Humans
Hygiene
Livestock
Malaysia*
Oocysts
Parasites
Prevalence
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