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Home / Equine Research Bank / Parasite / Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. (Eucoccidiorida: Cryptosp...
Parasite (Paris, France)2008; 14(4); 335-338; doi: 10.1051/parasite/2007144335

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. (Eucoccidiorida: Cryptosporiidae) in seven species of farm animals in Tunisia.

Abstract: 1,001 faecal samples were obtained from 89 sheep (lambs and adult), 184 goats, 190 horses, 178 rabbits, 110 camels, 200 broiler chicken and 50 turkeys housed in farms from different localities in Tunisia. All samples were analysed for Cryptosporidium oocysts by microscopic examination of smears stained by modified Ziehl Neelsen technique. The parasite was detected in ten lambs and adult sheep (11.2 %) and nine broiler chicken (4.5 %). Molecular characterization, performed in four animals, identified C. bovis in three lambs and C. meleagridis in one broiler chicken. This work is the first report on Cryptosporidium in farm animals in Tunisia.
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Publication Date: 2008-01-30 PubMed ID: 18225423DOI: 10.1051/parasite/2007144335Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research article studied the prevalence of Cryptosporidium, a type of parasite, in various species of farm animals in Tunisia. It found that Cryptosporidium was present in certain lambs, adult sheep, and broiler chickens.

Methods of Research

  • The researchers collected 1,001 fecal samples from a variety of farm animals that included 89 sheep (lambs and adults), 184 goats, 190 horses, 178 rabbits, 110 camels, 200 broiler chickens, and 50 turkeys. These animals were housed in different farm locales in Tunisia.
  • The samples were then analyzed for Cryptosporidium oocysts, which are the infective stages of the parasite, through microscope examination of stained smears. The staining method utilized was the modified Ziehl Neelsen technique, a special stain routinely used for the identification of this group of parasites.

Findings of the Research

  • The parasite Cryptosporidium was found in 10 lambs and adult sheep (which translates into a prevalence rate of 11.2 %), and in 9 broiler chickens (which shows a prevalence rate of 4.5 %).
  • Molecular characterization was subsequently carried out on four of the infected animals. This process helped to more specifically identify the strains of the Cryptosporidium parasite present.
  • In three of the lambs, the parasite found was identified to be C. bovis. In one of the broiler chickens, the parasite was identified to be C. meleagridis.

Significance of the Research

  • The main significance of this research lies in the fact that it is the first report of Cryptosporidium infection in farm animals in Tunisia. Cryptosporidium infection, known as cryptosporidiosis, can cause diarrhea in humans and animals.
  • Beyond the potential threat to animal health, Cryptosporidium is a known zoonotic pathogen, which means it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Therefore, this research also has implications for public health.

Cite This Article

APA
Soltane R, Guyot K, Dei-Cas E, Ayadi A. (2008). Prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. (Eucoccidiorida: Cryptosporiidae) in seven species of farm animals in Tunisia. Parasite, 14(4), 335-338. https://doi.org/10.1051/parasite/2007144335

Publication

Parasite (Paris, France)
ISSN: 1252-607X
NlmUniqueID: 9437094
Country: France
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 4
Pages: 335-338

Researcher Affiliations

Soltane, R
  • Laboratoire de Parasitologie-Mycologie, Faculté de Médecine, Sfax, Tunisie. soltane_raya@yahoo.fr
Guyot, K
    Dei-Cas, E
      Ayadi, A

        MeSH Terms

        • Animals
        • Animals, Domestic / parasitology
        • Animals, Newborn
        • Camelus
        • Chickens
        • Cryptosporidiosis / epidemiology
        • Cryptosporidiosis / parasitology
        • Cryptosporidiosis / veterinary
        • Cryptosporidium / isolation & purification
        • Feces / parasitology
        • Goats
        • Horses
        • Poultry Diseases / epidemiology
        • Poultry Diseases / parasitology
        • Prevalence
        • Rabbits
        • Sheep
        • Sheep Diseases / epidemiology
        • Sheep Diseases / parasitology
        • Tunisia / epidemiology
        • Turkeys

        Citations

        This article has been cited 28 times.
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