Investigation of cryptosporidiosis in lambs in Gonabad city, Khorasan Razavi province

Investigation of cryptosporidiosis in lambs in Gonabad city, Khorasan Razavi provinceSummary Cryptosporidium is an enteric zoonotic protozoan that causes cryptosporidiosis in humans and animals. To investigate the infection of lambs in Gonabad city (located in the southeast of Khorasan Razavi province) with Cryptosporidium, fecal samples were collected from the rectum of 138 lambs of 5 to 60 days old from some sheep herds in different villages of this city. Stool samples were mixed with potassium bichromate 2.5% and transported in a cool box to the to the laboratory. Age, sex, breed, rectal temperature, presence of other animal species and herd size were recorded. Fecal smear was prepared and stained with modified Ziehl-Neelsen method. Results showed that 19 samples out of 138 were positive (13.8%). There was no statistically significant difference between the protozoan infection with age, sex, fecal consistency, body temperature, breed and herd density (P>0.05).This study showed that the prevalence and intensity of Cryptosporidium infection in Gonabad city is significant, so this parasite should be considered a potential threat to the livestock economy and human health.