Cryptosporidium Infection in Pre-Weaned Ruminants and Pigs in Southwestern Nigeria
The study was carried out to detect Cryptosporidium coproantigens in pre-weaned ruminants and pigs in Ogun State, southwestern Nigeria. Faecal samples of 186 preweaned animals comprising calves (n=32), lambs (n=47), goat kids (n=36) and piglets (n=71) were collected and examined for Cryptosporidium antigens by the use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). 60.2% (112/186) of the samples were positive for Cryptosporidium antigens with infection rates of 78.1% (25/32), 51.1% (24/47), 83.3% (30/36) and 46.5% (33/71) for calves, lambs, goat kids and piglets respectively. The infection rates among animal species sampled were significantly different (p<0.05) from one another. The rate of infection in neonates, 73.5%, was significantly higher (p1 month-3 months). Furthermore, the infection rates, 67.3% and 68.6%, observed in females and diarrhoeic animals respectively were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those recorded in males (51.8%) and nondiarrhoeic animals (44.6%). This study demonstrates that Cryptosporidium infection is prevalent among pre-weaned category of ruminants and pigs in Ogun State, Nigeria"
