Risk factors associated with the occurrence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in calves

Abstract

Cryptosporidium parvum oocysts were detected in feces of dairy calves raised in Rio de Janeiro State and the risk factors involved in the infection were determined. A hundred calves aging up to 12-month-old from 13 dairy farms were sampled. Polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the presence of oocysts. The zoonotic C. parvum species was detected in 45% animals. Statistical risk factors analyses revealed an association between infection and animals raised in technical systems such as the use of milking equipment, milking cooler, and water trough(P<0.05)