Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in dairy calves in southern Ethiopia

Giardia and Cryptosporidium are the most common enteric protozoan parasites causing diarrhea in humans and animals worldwide. This study was conducted with the objectives of estimating prevalence and identifying risk factors for Cryptosporidium and Giardia infections in dairy calves in selected districts of southern Ethiopia. Fecal samples (n = 330) were collected from calves in 92 farms. The monoclonal antibody-based commercial direct immunofluorescent kit was used to test the samples for Cryptosporidium oocysts and Giardia cysts. A questionnaire survey was also administered to collect data on potential risk factors of infections. The results showed a farm-level prevalence of 69.6% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 59.1–78.7%) for Cryptosporidium and 38.04% (95% CI: 28.1–48.8%) for Giardia. Likewise, an overall animal level prevalence of 13.0% (95% CI: 9.6–17.2%) for Cryptosporidium and 9.7% (95% CI: 6.7–13.4%) for Giardia was found. At the farm level, multivariate logistic regression model showed that calves in smallholder farms were 5.3 times more likely to shed Cryptosporidium oocysts than calves in commercial farms (p=0.019). However, in case of Giardia, calves in commercial farms were 5.5 times more likely to shed cysts than calves in smallholder farms (p=0.037). Calves with diarrhea were nearly three times more likely to be positive for Cryptosporidium oocysts than those with normal feces (p=0.027). At the animal level, larger farms and younger calves were associated with Giardia cysts shedding, while larger herd size and lose fecal consistency were associated with Cryptosporidium oocysts shedding. Giardia and Cryptosporidium infection are endemic in the studied dairy farms. Therefore, detailed molecular epidemiological studies are essential to identify the role of domestic animals in the transmission of infections to humans and vice versa, and to determine the best options for prevention and control of cryptosporidiosis and giardiasis.