Resumen

GARCIA ROMO, Dolores et al. Prevalence and risk factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in suckling calves in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Veterinaria México OA [online]. 2014, vol.1, n.1. ISSN 2448-6760.  https://doi.org/10.21753/vmoa.1.1.332.

The aim of this study was to identify the prevalence of and certain risk factors associated with infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in suckling calves that were maintained in confinement in three dairy farms in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Over a period of 12 months, 1658 fecal samples were taken from 0- to 28 day-old calves. These samples were processed by a Kinyoun stain of the fecal smears to identify the presence of parasite oocysts. A survey was conducted to identify the different management factors present in the dairy farms, and a risk analysis was performed using logistic regression. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. infection was 40%; the 8- to 14-day-old age group of calves had the highest prevalence of infection (81%), while the lowest prevalence of infection (21%) was observed in the 22- to 28-day-old age group. The identified risk factors for infection by Cryptosporidium spp. in­cluded the 8- to 14-day-old group (OR = 15.2; 95% CI 11.2 - 20.6; P < 0.000) and the 15- to 21-day-old group (OR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.9 - 3.2, P < 0.000); the use of sawdust bedding (OR= 1.8; 95% Cl 1.1 - 2.8, P < 0.011); the plastic container from which calves drink milk (OR =1.4; 95% Cl 1.1-1.7, P < 0.000); the low level of immunoglobulins (OR = 1.8; 95% Cl 1.1 - 2.9, P < 0.009); and calving care by non-specialized personnel (night watchman: OR = 2.5; 95% Cl 1.6 - 3.9, P < 0.000; nursing area worker: OR 1.7; 95% Cl 1.2 - 2.5, P < 0.001).

Palabras llave : Cryptosporidium spp.; Dairy cattle; Suckling calves; Prevalence; Risk factors.