Research
Comparison of Two Methods in the Detection of Cryptosporidium in Pigs in Ogun State, Nigeria
Two diagnostic methods, a modified Kinyoun’s acid-fast staining technique and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), for the detection of Cryptosporidium spp. in porcine faeces were compared regarding their sensitivities. Of the 209 faecal samples examined, Cryptosporidium spp. was detected significantly higher (p<0.05) by ELISA (31.1%) than the acidfast staining method (16.3%). The sensitivities of the ELISA and acid-fast staining techniques were 100.0% and 52.3% respectively. The ELISA is therefore a preferable method than microscopy for detection of Cryptosporidium spp.
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 (p<0.05) than the rate recorded in other pre-weaned age group (>1 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"
