Serology and molecular characterisation of Cryptosporidium specie detected from cattle in Sokoto State, North Western Nigeria

Abstract

Molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium has led to increased recognition of the diversity of species infecting animals. A Cryptosporidium Copro-Enzyme Linked Immuno Assay (Copro-ELISA) antigen detection manufactured by Savyon® Diagnostics Ltd., Ashdod, Israel, was used to screen faecal samples from cattle. Copro-ELISA Cryptosporidium antigen positive faecal samples were subjected to Nested PCR for the amplification of 830bp fragments of small subunit (SSU) rRNA gene and followed by nucleotide sequencing by targeting the 18S gene in cattle. Of the 384 bovine faeces screened, 31 (8.07%) were ELISA positive out of the 384 screened samples and 19.4% (6/31) were Cryptosporidium positive using PCR technique. Nucleotide sequencing of the bovine PCR products showed the presence of C. bovis 2 (6.5%), C. ryanae 2 (6.5%), C. andersoni 1 (3.2%) and C. ubiquitum 1(3.2%). C. ubiquitum has also been found in this study in Wurno LGA of Sokoto state, it is a new specie in the genus previously identified as Cryptosporidium Cervine genotype which was reported in wild and domestic ruminants, rodents, carnivores and primates including humans. In calves, there were no significant associations (p>0.05) in prevalence of Cryptosporidium between breeds; between sources of drinking water; between physical nature of faeces (OR=3.61:95% CI on OR: 0.36<OR<34.71); between management practices (OR=1.71: 95% CI on OR: 0.26<OR<11.41) and between sexes (OR=0.58: 95% CI on OR: 0.08<OR<3.88). Absence of the zoonotic spp (C. parvum) in the area suggests that the age group of calves studied are not likely to be source of human cryptosporidiosis.