Excretion pattern of cryptosporidium oocysts in natural infectin in claves

Abstract

Fifteen Holslcin-Friesian calves were examined for consecutive 20 days after birth to sec when they acquire Crypfosporidimn infect ion and Mie pa item of excretion of the prolozol oocysts in their faeces, The calves were observed to shed Cryptosporidium oocysts, using floatation and Giemsa staining techniques for examination oftheir faeces, within 1-3 days birth without any accompanying diarrhoea. This initial excretion usually ceased within the first 3 days suggesting (hat these oocysts were those ingested from the environment. The oocysts reappeared in their faeces within 7-9 days indicating infection could gain a foothold in their guts, followed by diarrhoea. This pattern of shedding oocysls resembled the observations regarding the life-cycle of the protozoan in experimental animals.