Prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dairy farms with a history of calves' diarrhoea

The aim of the present study was the investigation of 1) the possible interference of Cryptosporidium spp. in the cases of calf diarrhoea during the first 3-14 days of life and 2) the prevalence of this parasite in older animals, serving as reservoirs. Towards this end, faecal samples from 475 dairy cattle from 18 farms with a history of calf diarrhoea were examined (Ziehl-Nielsen method). Sampled animals were divided into 3 groups as follows: group A: calves younger than 14 days (all sampled), group B: calves older than 14 days (50% sampled) and group C: cows (10% sampled). 119 out of the 475 (25.05%) cattle were infected. In each group the percentages were: Group A: 53/109 (48.62%), Group B: 14/106 (13.2%) and Group C: 52/260 (20%). Oocysts of Cryptosporidium spp. were not found in all the sampled farms and age groups. More precisely, the range of infected animals in each of the 18 farms in total was 0-46%, while in each group was as follows: Group A: 0%-100%, Group B: 0%-33% and Group C: 0%-50%. Since Cryptosporidium spp. was prevalent in dairy farms, mainly in neonatal calves, It was concluded that this parasite plays an important role in the diarrhoeic syndrome of calves in Greece.