Epidemiology of Cryptosporidiosis in Dairy Calves and Humans in Ambo and Toke Kutaye Districts of West Shewa Zone - Abstract
Cryptosporidium is an enteric protozoan organism that causes gastrointestinal disorders in humans and different animals, mainly in calves. The crosssectional study was conducted during October 2019 to May 2020, to estimate the prevaelence of Cryptosporidium infection in humans and calves and identify risk factors of Cryptosporidium infection in West Shewa. Faecal samples collected from 275 calves and 149 humans were examined by Modified Ziehl Neelsen techniques to detect the presence of the parasite oocysts. Data on risk factors of the infection were collected using a pre-tested questionnaire. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium in cattle and humans was 17.1% (95% CI: 12.61–22.51) and 11.4% (95% CI: 3.59–8.47), respectively. In cattle, Cryptosporidium infection was significantly associated with intense management system (OR=4.55, 95% CI: 1.05–4.49), absence of calving pen (OR=4.94, 95% CI: 4.79–13.55),poor body condition score (OR=6.40, 95% CI: 3.16–9.23), drinking well/ river water (OR=7.09, 95% CI: 4.54–11.08) , group penning of calves (OR=8.54, 95% CI: 4.81–15.17), medium/unclean pen (OR=3.75, 95% CI: 4.98–13.94), unclean hind quarters/flanks ( OR=4.78, 95% CI:4.58 13.75), less than two months age (OR=5.04,95% CI: 2.86 8.90) and presence of other disease (OR=3.04, 95% CI: 1.56 5.93). In humans, the infection showed significant association with presence of animal at home (OR=6.38, 95% CI: 1.03 62.30), high level contact with calves and their faeces (OR=5.40, 95% CI: 3.01 6.98), under five years age groups (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.01–2.21) and drinking well/ river water (OR=6.75, 95% CI: 2.95–5.93). This study clearly figures out that Cryptosporidium infection is prevalent in the study area. Therefore, community education is recommended in order to adopt integral approach involving good hygienic practice, such as preventing environmental contamination and proper disposal of contaminated material.